A recent visit to Taiwan by the mayor of South Africa's largest opposition party has sparked a debate in the country about its relationship with the Chinese territory, and unexpectedly triggered a power struggle within the South African government.
Until recently, most local government positions in South Africa were held by the long-ruling African National Congress. The ANC prides itself on party discipline and cohesiveness, which has resulted in virtual control of policy from city hall to the president. One of its strongest foreign policy tenets is maintaining strong relations with China, which it claims Taiwan is part of China.
This “one China” policy has resulted in many countries, including the United States and South Africa, not officially recognizing Taiwan.
But now that stubborn policy is beginning to waver, starting from the lowest echelons of the South African government. Last year's local government polls saw the ANC's archrival the Democratic Alliance unseat three powerful executive mayors: Johannesburg, Pretoria and Nelson Mandela Bay.
One of them, Solly Msimanga from Pretoria, traveled to Taiwan in late December to meet Taipei's pro-independence mayor and explore business opportunities. While there, he received a key to the city.
crossed the line
That's where the line has been crossed, says Clayson Monyela, a spokesperson for South Africa's Department of Foreign Affairs. He said the South African government encourages trade and investment between South Africa and Taiwan, providing consular services as well as an embassy in Taipei and maintaining a liaison office to facilitate trade, investment and tourism. Ta.
But politics is never part of the discussion, he says.
“South African businessmen come to Taipei for trade and investment opportunities,” he told VOA. “We have done that from the government, and there is nothing wrong with that, and China would not object to such a thing. If you have a background, that's where the difficulties arise. ”
political football
But Mr Msimanga's party claims the ANC-dominated government is using the trip as a political football. Opposition MP Dean McPherson said he was warmly welcomed by South African Liaison Office officials when he visited Taiwan as part of a delegation of opposition MPs just three weeks before Msimanga's visit. .
“I think this is hypocrisy and nothing but cheap political point-scoring at its worst,” he told VOA from Cape Town. “And what it did, and I think it's right in my opinion, is the debate about who can and cannot direct different areas of government to attract investment when you have 9 million people. in South Africa.'' Unemployed South Africans. ”
Asked why the government did not object to Mr Macpherson's visit, Mr Monela said the difference is that Mr Msimanga is the executive mayor and therefore the official representative of the South African government, whereas Mr Macpherson and his representative The group said it was nothing more than elected politicians.
Are there any changes in Taiwan?
Rudolph du Plessis, a research fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs, said the debate was unlikely to change South Africa's China policy. But as China continues to invest in Africa and Taiwan is rapidly losing allies on the continent, most recently on the West African island of Sao Tome, Taiwan may be changing its tune, he said. .
“The fact that Taiwan's traditional diplomatic footprint has become smaller over the years may indicate that the Taiwanese side is moving towards increasing city-to-city contacts,” he said. “And in that case, I think Solly Msimanga could be a very good candidate to drive that diplomatic system.”
Even if this strategy of seeking allies in low places hasn't produced results, it's certainly garnered attention. President Jacob Zuma, in a harsh but vague statement, noted the controversy and said he would soon convene a group of top local and state leaders to foster cooperation between different levels of government. Ta.