Tensions between South Africa and Taiwan are nearing a diplomatic and economic flashpoint, with Taipei considering restrictions on semiconductor exports in response to Pretoria’s recent move to downgrade Taiwan’s diplomatic status.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday it is actively reviewing countermeasures to South Africa’s “crude” reclassification of its representative offices.
Among the proposed options is a curtailment of chip exports – a potentially symbolic gesture given Taiwan’s dominance in global semiconductor production.
“To safeguard national sovereignty and dignity, we are discussing countermeasures, including restricting chip exports to South Africa,” MOFA director-general for West Asian and African Affairs Philippe Yen said.
He said discussions were ongoing and that specifics such as which chips and for how long any restrictions would apply have not yet been decided.
The diplomatic row escalated after South Africa issued an official notice on 21 July renaming Taiwan’s two offices as the “Taipei Commercial Office in Johannesburg” and “Taipei Commercial Office in Cape Town.”
The change comes amid Pretoria’s reaffirmation of its “one China” policy and citation of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 – a move widely interpreted as aligning more closely with Beijing’s stance.
Taiwan condemned the timing of the downgrade, which came on the heels of South African Vice President Paul Mashatile’s visit to China earlier this month.
The ministry believes this reflects growing pressure from Beijing aimed at isolating Taiwan internationally.
South Africa’s foreign ministry earlier this month defended its decision as “standard diplomatic practice” and claimed the rebranding more accurately reflects the “nonpolitical and nondiplomatic nature” of its ties with Taiwan.
The South African government is yet to respond to the latest action by Taiwan.
JN/APA