Скачать или смотреть SOUTH AFRICA: GOVERNMENT'S DIPLOMATIC DILEMMA WITH TAIWAN

(11 Jun 1996) Mandarin/Eng/Nat

Post-Apartheid South Africa is finding it must now make some tough diplomatic choices.

Later this week, it is due to make a final decision on whether to break off formal ties with Taiwan.

China has told South Africa that if it wants to develop economic and diplomatic ties, it must sever all links with the island state.

The arrival of three Taiwanese naval boats in Cape Town last month for military exercises was an example of the strength of the ties between the two countries.

South Africa's relationship with Taiwan was inherited from the country's former Apartheid regime.

In the face of economic sanctions, Taiwan was one of the few countries to make substantial investment in the country.

Currently, trade between the two stands at a respectable 18-hundred (m) million US dollars - but all this may soon change.

China has told President Nelson Mandela's government that it must cut ties with Taiwan if it wants to establish economic and diplomatic relations.

It regards Taiwan as a rebel province and has hinted that force might one day be used to recapture it.

South African Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo admits Beijing's stance has left him with a diplomatic dilemma.

SOUNDBITE:
"We want to be genuine. We had discussions with the top leaders of that country (China), which you see from our point of view, we are telling them 'Look - we have got this historical situation that has developed between the relations with Taiwan'. And we sought the advice of what we want to do, but they were very adamant that there is only one China."
SUPER CAPTION: Alfred Nzo, South African Foreign Affairs Minister

The choice facing South Africa is complicated by its 15-thousand strong Taiwanese community.

CC Kan first came to South Africa 11 years ago to work in his country's embassy.

Six years ago, he started an electronics business that has today grown to 11 companies with a total turn-over of 70 (m) million US dollars.

Four of his businesses will listed on the local stock exchange in September.

Kan now runs one of the largest personal computer companies in the country.

He believes the two countries need each other.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"I think that South Africa and Taiwan depend on each other economically. South Africa needs Taiwan's industrial products and Taiwan needs South Africa's industrial materials. Taiwan has been importing a lot of materials from South Africa such as coal, iron and so on."
SUPER CAPTION: CC Kan, Taiwanese businessman

Kan thinks that even if South Africa agrees to China's demands, trade will continue.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"How the diplomatic relationship between the two countries will change won't effect the that economic relationship. So far all the Taiwan investment in South Africa comes from the private sector and none of the companies receive any government subsidies. So they can make their own decisions."
SUPER CAPTION: CC Kan, Taiwanese businessman

But despite Kan's prediction, it remains to be seen whether his new homeland will agree to China's demands and cut itself off from one of its older trading partners.

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