Mail & Guardian Reporters
TAIWAN on Thursday hit back at South Africa’s decision to cut diplomatic ties, announcing it would shelve most of its aid projects in South Africa and recall its ambassador.
Foreign Minister John Chang told a press conference in Pretoria that 85% to 90% of its aid projects would only be resumed once the two countries had worked out a formula for a new relationship.
The snub came a day after President Nelson Mandela said South Africa would maintain relations at the highest level short of diplomatic ties. Mandela said Taiwan was “a very close friend”.
Chang made no mention of cutting trade or investment ties – trade between the two countries hit R5,7-billion last year and Taiwan is considering major investments, including a $3-billion petrochemical project.
It was reported Chang, who arrived in South Africa on Tuesday, addressed the press conference after meeting his counterpart, Alfred Nzo. But Nzo left the conference before Chang made his announcement.