Diplomatic Inside
The Taipei Liaison Office in Pretoria hosted its National Day celebration at the Centurion Country Club on Monday afternoon. A large number of invitees enjoyed live music performances from Taiwan and a wide variety of delicious cuisines. The reception hosted by His Excellency Ambassador Oliver Liao, representatives of the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa, and members of the Taiwanese community.
In a gathering that underscored the deepening ties between South Africa and Taiwan, Bridget Masango, Chair of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development and Democratic Alliance Spokesperson for Social Development, praised the resilience, generosity, and economic strength of Taiwan during the celebration of the Republic of China (Taiwan)’s 113th National Day.
Masango extended warm congratulations to Taiwan on this important milestone. She highlighted the long-standing relationship between the Democratic Alliance and Taiwan, noting her first personal experience with the island nation during a delegation visit between 2014 and 2019.
“I was profoundly impressed by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Taiwanese people,” Masango remarked. “Their determination to forge partnerships across all levels of government, combined with their generosity, has continued to strengthen ties between our countries.”
Masango also lauded Taiwan for its significant humanitarian contributions to South Africa, referencing recent donations of rice and other staples that have supported South Africa’s poor and vulnerable communities. “Taiwan’s contributions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrated the country’s remarkable generosity,” she added, pointing to the provision of essential personal protective equipment as part of Taiwan’s global aid efforts.
Ambassador Oliver Liao echoed Masango’s sentiments, celebrating Taiwan’s global economic competitiveness, especially in the high-tech sector. “Taiwan produces 70% of the world’s chips and 90% of high-end chips,” he noted, underlining the island’s critical role in the global supply chain, especially in industries like automotive manufacturing, electronics, and home appliances.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Taiwan has also grown significantly, with trade in 2023 reaching $1.8 billion. South Africa has maintained a trade surplus, exporting $1.25 billion worth of goods to Taiwan, including automotive products, which continue to boost South Africa’s economy.
Ambassador Liao also emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships, particularly with South Africa, as he highlighted the educational exchange programs that have seen 70 South Africans travel to Taiwan for degree studies this year. These academic exchanges aim to foster greater understanding and cooperation between the two nations.
The event took a reflective turn as Ambassador Liao addressed the geopolitical challenges Taiwan faces. He reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and sovereignty amid ongoing tensions with China, which he said had misrepresented the intent of UNGA Resolution 2758 in an effort to undermine Taiwan’s status. “We firmly reject China’s attempts to distort the resolution and undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty,” Liao declared, calling for international vigilance and support for cross-strait peace and stability.
The celebration concluded with a toast to the enduring friendship between Taiwan and South Africa, with both Masango and Liao expressing optimism for the future. As Masango noted, “Our hope is that as South Africa’s Government of National Unity continues its work, we will see even stronger cooperation with Taiwan. This partnership holds tremendous value for both of our nations.”
With the backdrop of increasing global tensions, the event highlighted Taiwan’s role not only as a major player in global trade but also as a steadfast partner to South Africa in areas such as humanitarian relief, economic development, and educational exchange.
