The Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) has described Solly Msimanga’s recent Taipei trip as "highly regrettable"‚ saying it was undertaken against its advice. Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela said on Monday that the Tshwane mayor’s sojourn‚ which saw him receive the freedom of the city‚ was in breach of SA’s foreign policy: "the One China Policy". "Taiwan is not recognised as a sovereign state by SA and the UN‚" he said. "SA maintains a liaison office in Taipei as do the Taiwanese in Pretoria‚" Monyela said‚ adding that these do not "enjoy the status of an embassy"‚ and exist "to facilitate people-to-people contact". "It has no political mandate and therefore interaction between political office bearers is not allowed. "Representatives of any sphere of government must ensure that their engagements with international entities are aligned to existing mechanisms and programmes, and that such relations are co-ordinated in a manner that advances SA’s foreign...
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