Media Statement
02 January 2017
Foreign visits must be coordinated and seek to advance South Africa's foreign policy and national interests.
The Deparment of Internarional Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) wishes to place it on record that the recent trip to the city of Taipei in Taiwan, undertaken by Councilor Solly Msimanga, Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, was in breach of South Africa's foreign policy and is highly regretted.
The Department was made aware of the visit and advised Mayor Msimanga not to undertake the visit as it would constitute a breach of our One China Policy. In a move that is highly regrettable, Mayor Msimanga disregarded DIRCO's advise and proceeded with the visit.
Taiwan is not recognized as a sovereign state by South Africa and the United Nations. South Africa maintains a Liaison office in Taipei as does the Taiwanese in Pretoria. The Liaison Office does not enjoy the status of an Embassy. The Liaison offices arrangement was agreed upon to facilitate people to people contact. It has no political mandate and therefore interaction between political office bearers is not allowed.