TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan has requested further negotiations on moving its South African representative office out of the capital and is awaiting a response from Pretoria, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said at a Monday press conference.

The South African government initially ordered Taiwan to move its office in October but later expressed willingness to discuss the matter. In January, it sent another request for Taiwan to vacate the capital by the end of March.

As the South African government's unilateral deadline nears, Taiwan has formally requested talks to decide on the relocation site, personnel arrangements, and agreement signing details, Hsiao said, per CNA.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation renamed the "Taipei Liaison Office" to the "Taipei Commercial Office" on its website earlier this month.

Hsiao stressed that as the host country of this year's G20 Summit, South Africa should respect international norms, particularly its 1997 agreement with Taiwan.

If the office is forcibly moved, Taiwan may suspend cooperation, restrict training opportunities for South Africans, and even impose economic countermeasures until South Africa demonstrates goodwill, according to a diplomatic source.

The foreign ministry said last month that Taiwan “remains steadfast in its refusal to accept the South African government’s unilateral violation of their bilateral agreement” and pledged to continue dialogue with South Africa “on the principles of parity and dignity.”