Taiwan has again rejected South Africa’s demand that it move its representative office in the country from the capital, Pretoria, to the commercial center of Johannesburg.

Taiwan’s de facto embassy is being kicked out of Pretoria, as the South African government seeks to reassure China amid political shifts at home

South Africa has asked Taiwan to move its unofficial embassy out of the administrative capital, Pretoria, in a move that’s seen as appeasing ally China.

South Africa's government said on Friday that it had asked Taiwan to relocate its de facto embassy out of the capital Pretoria, while Taiwan accused it of bowing to pressure from China.

Taiwan has rejected South Africa's demand to relocate its representative office from Pretoria to Johannesburg, citing a 1997 agreement. This demand is seen as China's influence over South Africa. Taiwan maintains strong economic ties with both South Africa and the U.

Taipei may impose stricter visa rules for South African travellers and suspend educational exchanges in response

South Africa defended the decision, saying it was meant only to reflect their 'nonpolitical and nondiplomatic' relationship

South Africa asked Taiwan to move its liaison office out of the administrative capital, Pretoria, in order to emphasize the countries' "non-diplomatic" ties. China claims Taiwan as part of its own territory.