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.

South Africa has asked Taiwan to move its unofficial embassy out of its administrative capital, Pretoria, the South African Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

China claims the self-governing island of Taiwan as part of its own territory. Taiwan’s government is only officially recognized by a dozen countries, while many states maintain informal diplomatic ties with the island.

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South Africa severed formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1997 but maintains informal ties.

China is South Africa’s largest trade partner. Both states are members of the BRICS bloc of developing economies which is set to hold its annual summit next week in the Russian city of Kazan.