Taiwan, given its marching orders from Malawi after the government switched diplomatic allegiance to mainland China, has asked for more time to pack up its operations, a diplomat said on Wednesday.
The Malawian government had initially given its ally of 42 years a month to clear its desk after Monday's announcement that it was forging ties with the rival regime in Beijing.
But Elliot Jiang, spokesman for the Taiwanese embassy, said he was optimistic of a 30-day extension as part of a reciprocal arrangement under which Malawi would have to close up its diplomatic mission in Taipei within two months.
"Originally, we were given 30 days, but my judgment is that they will grant us the 60 days. It will be reciprocal," Jiang told AFP.
Malawi's Foreign Minister Joyce Banda indicated she would look favourably on the request given "the good relationship we enjoyed during all those years".
The switch to Beijing was formally announced on Monday in a joint statement by the Malawi and Chinese governnments.
Taiwan, which bankrolled Malawi 400 million dollars (270 million euros) annually in various development programmes, reacted angrily to the announcement. It terminated various cooperation agreements with Malawi and accused it of embarrassing President Chen Shui-bian as he was about to embark on an overseas tour.
Mainland China has been investing heavily in Africa in recent years as it eyes up the continent's vast natural resources, but its push has attracted criticism that only the elite have benefitted from the relationship.
Before Monday's announcement, Malawi had been the biggest African nation to still recognise Taiwan and only Burkina Faso, Gambia, Swaziland and Sao Tome and Principe now remain as allies.
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