TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday (Oct. 18) emphasized the importance of supporting diplomatic personnel and allowing them to advocate for Taiwan's interests abroad. He refrained from commenting on the incident in which the South African government reportedly demanded Taiwan's representative office relocate from its capital by the end of October.
Before attending an interpellation at the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Cho stated that diplomatic work is inherently challenging for Taiwan, and expressed admiration for the efforts of all diplomatic and embassy staff.
Media reports suggested that pressure from China has prompted the South African government to issue a firm ultimatum. The ministry reportedly stated there is no room for negotiation on this matter, threatening to close the office in Pretoria if Taiwan does not comply by Oct. 30.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部) on Thursday acknowledged ongoing efforts to resolve the issue. However, if South Africa ultimately yields to China's demands and alters the current status quo, the ministry plans to explore all possible countermeasures, grounded in the principle of reciprocity, to defend Taiwan's sovereignty and dignity.