Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Taiwan's Shrinking Footprint in Africa

 The Diplomat published on 30 October 2024 a commentary titled "Taiwan's Shrinking Footprint in Africa Amid Chinese Pressure" by Samir Bhattacharya, India's Observer Research Foundation.

Eswatini is the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan rather than China.  China has now pressured South Africa to demand that Taiwan move its "Taipei Liaison Office" from the political capital of Pretoria to the commercial capital of Johannesburg and rename it a trade office.  Taiwan, citing a 1997 agreement with South Africa, is objecting to the demand.  There has been no official, public comment from the US government.