Taipei Protests South Africa's E-Visa System Over 'Taiwan, China' Label
Taiwan has lodged a protest with the South African government after its new electronic travel authorization system listed Taiwan as "Taiwan, China." Taiwan passport holders are not yet eligible to use the e-visa platform, which launched last year and is still being rolled out. The dispute adds to ongoing diplomatic tension between Taipei and Pretoria, which have been negotiating over South Africa's demand for Taiwan to relocate and downgrade its representative offices.
Taiwan-South Africa Relations
REPORTER:
Taiwan is protesting to the South African government over its electronic travel authorization system, which lists Taiwan as part of China.
South Africa’s e-visa platform was launched last year and is still being rolled out. Taiwan passport holders are not yet eligible to sign up online. But dropdown menus on the site already list Taiwan as “Taiwan, China.” The foreign ministry says the Republic of China, Taiwan is a sovereign state and not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China. There’s been ongoing diplomatic tension between Taiwan and South Africa. The two sides have been negotiating over Pretoria's request for Taipei to relocate and downgrade its representative offices in the country.
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Taiwan-South Africa Tension
REPORTER:
Taiwan has protested to the South African government for mislabeling Taiwan, the latest amid lengthy diplomatic dispute between the two sides.
South Africa’s new e-Visa registration system now lists Taiwan as “Taiwan, China.” While it does not accept applications from Taiwanese citizens, the service only serves travelers from four countries including China. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has lodged a protest with Pretoria and notes that Taiwanese travelers may still apply for visas in person in Taipei. The issue comes amid ongoing diplomatic tension, as South Africa demanded Taiwan relocate and downgrade its representative offices in the country.
