Although scores of countries worldwide have dropped official recognition of Taiwan in favor of Communist China since the 1970s, many of them, including the United States, nevertheless have given the island nation informal diplomatic status with a “liaison office” in their respective capitals.

Last week, more than 27 years after South Africa formally recognized China and began the unofficial relationship with Taiwan, the government of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa suddenly ordered the Taipei Liaison Office to leave the capital city of Pretoria before the end of March.

To add insult to injury, the Ramaphosa government sought to rename the liaison office a “trade office” and thus downgrade its status. 

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