China commends South Africa's positive action in keeping with one-China principle

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China commends South Africa's positive action in keeping with the one-China principle and UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

It's reported that the South African government has issued a notice, saying that the "Taipei Commercial Office" in Pretoria, the administrative capital, will no longer be recognized. South Africa has urged the relocation of the office from Pretoria to Johannesburg. The so-called "Taipei Liaison Office in Cape Town" will be referred to as the "Taipei Commercial Office."

When asked to comment on South Africa's decision, spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a daily press briefing that the one-China principle is the political foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with other countries, and that it is a basic norm in international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community.

"This is also reflective of the strength of the China-South Africa all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era," Guo said, adding that China will continue standing firmly with South Africa on issues bearing on each other's core interests.