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Relationship dossier

South Africa Taiwan

Relationship assessment

Formal diplomatic separation coexists with unofficial South Africa–Taiwan contacts

South Africa toward Taiwan

-20

South Africa ended diplomatic recognition of Taiwan in 1998 and recognized the People’s Republic of China. It has since maintained unofficial rather than formal government channels with Taiwan.

Taiwan toward South Africa

+15

Taiwan maintains unofficial representative and practical economic and cultural contacts with South Africa despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations.

Overall relationship

-5

The enduring relationship combines South Africa’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China, which excludes formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, with continuing unofficial representative and practical contacts. This produces a constrained but not wholly adversarial bilateral structure.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100
Extreme sustained hostility
−50
Substantially adversarial
0
Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50
Substantially cooperative
+100
Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

South Africa ended formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1998 and recognized the People’s Republic of China. The governments nevertheless maintain unofficial channels, including representative offices and practical economic and cultural contacts. The relationship is shaped by South Africa’s recognition policy, alongside continuing but less formal engagement.

Areas of tension

Key developments

Major uncertainties

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