Latest news with #MOFA
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Taiwan considers chip ban after South Africa capitulates to Chinese pressure
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs may restrict semiconductor exports to South Africa after it downgraded Taiwan's diplomatic offices without consultation. Though not a major chip supplier to South Africa, Taiwan hopes the potential restrictions will signal resistance to coercive foreign policy shifts. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is considering restricting semiconductor exports to South Africa after the latter unilaterally downgraded Taiwan's representative offices in Pretoria and Cape Town, without prior consultation or bilateral agreement, as reported by the Taipei South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation announced the changes in the Government Gazette last Monday, stating that the "Taipei Liaison Office" in Pretoria had been renamed the "Taiwan Commercial Office in Johannesburg," while the Cape Town office was similarly renamed. Furthermore, both offices were reclassified from diplomatic missions to "international organisations" on South Africa's official website, the Taipei Times Department of West Asian and African Affairs Director-General Philippe Yen Chia-liang condemned the move as a blatant act of political appeasement to Beijing and a violation of the spirit of the 1997 bilateral agreement that allowed Taiwan to maintain a presence in South Africa after diplomatic ties were severed in 1998."MOFA expresses deep regret over South Africa bowing to Chinese pressure and ignoring its years-long friendship with Taiwan," Yen stated, as cited by the Taipei emphasised that this "crude behaviour," done without negotiations or prior notice, severely undermines Taiwan's dignity and sovereignty. In response, MOFA and other government agencies are now weighing economic countermeasures, including a halt to semiconductor exports to South Africa -- a move aimed at signalling Taiwan's unwillingness to tolerate foreign policy shifts dictated by Chinese coercion, the Taipei Times Taiwan is not a major chip supplier to South Africa, it plays a dominant role in global semiconductor production, and even limited restrictions may serve as a diplomatic warning. The specific types of chips affected and the timeline for implementing the restrictions are still under Africa cited the UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 , often misused by Beijing, to justify the downgrading, falsely interpreting it as an international consensus that the People's Republic of China (PRC) has exclusive legitimacy over Taiwan. However, MOFA strongly rejected this stance, asserting that the resolution does not address Taiwan's sovereignty or preclude other nations from engaging with it."MOFA solemnly urges the South African government to negotiate with Taiwan as soon as possible," Yen said. As of now, no dialogue has been mounting pressure, MOFA confirmed that Taiwan's two offices in South Africa remain operational.
Epoch Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Epoch Times
Taiwan Mulls Chip Export Controls Over South Africa's Downgrading of De Facto Embassy
Taiwan is considering export controls on chips in response to South Africa's unilateral downgrading of Taipei's de facto embassy, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said on Tuesday. In a notice published on July 21, the South African government formalized its downgrading of Taipei's Liaison Offices to Commercial Offices, citing 'South Africa's commitment to the One China Policy' and U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758, which it says 'recognises the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate representative of China.'
Japan Forward
13 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun Visits Tokyo Ahead of US Trade Showdown
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with his South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun on July 29 in Tokyo, where Cho made a brief stop before heading to the United States for his first diplomatic tour since taking office. Cho's visit to Washington comes as Seoul engages in high-stakes talks over sweeping Trump-era tariffs. In July, President Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Japan and South Korea unless agreements are reached by August 1. Given the rarity of South Korean foreign ministers visiting another capital before a US trip, some observers speculate that Seoul may have sought Tokyo's advice before advancing its trade negotiations. Japan recently struck a deal with Washington to ease its tariff burden. On Tuesday, Iwaya welcomed Cho's decision to make Japan his first stop since assuming office. "We appreciate the close communication between the governments of Japan and South Korea, including today's meeting, since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration," Iwaya said. "In the current strategic environment, the importance of Japan–South Korea relations and cooperation between Japan, the US, and South Korea is growing," he added. "Our two countries must work closely together on a range of issues, including those related to the Indo-Pacific region." Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho hold a 50-minute bilateral meeting in Tokyo on July 29. (©MOFA Japan) Cho, who was sworn in just last week, said the newly minted Lee administration is committed to strengthening ties through a pragmatic foreign policy. "The international situation is challenging," Cho said. "But I believe that by cooperating and maintaining close communication with friendly nations to co-develop strategies, we can overcome crises and turn them into opportunities." He also relayed President Lee's push to restore shuttle diplomacy following the first summit between the two East Asian neighbors. During the meeting, the two ministers also agreed that coordination among Japan, South Korea, and the US is essential for regional peace and stability. Seoul's latest diplomatic engagement comes amid rising concern over the Lee administration's perceived tilt toward China. While former President Yoon Suk-yeol had prioritized deepening ties with like-minded partners, Lee and his ruling party's seemingly pro-Beijing leanings have unsettled policymakers in Washington. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun holds his first phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 28, exchanging views on bilateral ties and other key issues. (©MOFA ROK) Some experts view Cho's visit to Tokyo as a subtle signal that the new government remains committed to preserving the framework built under the previous administration. Lee has also reportedly decided not to attend China's Victory Day ceremony in September. According to diplomatic sources, the president ultimately opted out, citing the need to prioritize the relationship with the US. After a short interlude, Cho departed for a scheduled meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss, among other issues, Trump tariffs. Tokyo's recent agreement with Washington, under which the US lowers tariffs on Japanese imports from 25% to 15% in exchange for Japan's long-term investment commitments and expanded access to its domestic market, has increased pressure on Seoul to secure a comparable outcome. Trump's trade negotiators are expected to seek similar concessions, possibly using the Japan deal as a benchmark. With that agreement now shaping expectations, Seoul faces difficult choices about what to concede and what to protect in key sectors such as agriculture, digital trade, and automobiles. Author: Kenji Yoshida
Qatar Tribune
7 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Al Ansari calls for adherence to int'l law to address challenges
QNA Cambridge Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) HE Dr Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari participated in a panel discussion during the opening session of the Gulf Research Meeting, organised by the Gulf Research Centre at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. In his remarks, Dr. Al Ansari emphasised that the region is facing unprecedented challenges resulting from irresponsible behaviour that has extended beyond the borders of GCC states for the first time. This requires a unified stance and effective cooperation to protect the region's security. He indicated that the only way to address these challenges is to adhere to international law as a constant reference, noting that the GCC states are working in an integrated manner to ensure regional stability and support international efforts to achieve security in the region. He highlighted the role played by Qatar in mediation and conflict resolution around the world, pointing to the successes of Qatari diplomacy in recent days on a number of international issues. Qatar, he said, succeeded in reuniting a new batch of Ukrainian and Russian children with their families, and facilitating the return of a second group of Afghan citizens from Germany to their country, in addition to Qatar's communication with all parties to reach a broader and more comprehensive nuclear agreement between Iran and the United States of America. Regarding the Palestinian cause, Dr. Al Ansari stressed the importance of supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people as a fundamental pillar of any lasting peace in the region.
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Business Standard
23-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India, Japan explore maritime, regional ties in Indo-Pacific region
India and Japan continued to deepen their partnership on maritime connectivity and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region during a seminar titled "IPOI Ambassador of India to Japan, Sibi George, delivered the inaugural remarks at the event, which featured special addresses by Japan's former Defence Minister and MP H.E. Mr. Minoru Kihara, India's Secretary (East) H.E. Mr. P. Kumaran, and H.E. Mr. Shingo Miyamoto, Director General at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The discussions focused on strengthening India-Japan cooperation on maritime linkages across the Indo-Pacific region. The Indian Embassy later shared highlights of the event in a post on social media platform X, "Glimpses of a seminar on "IPOI: India-Japan Partnership in Maritime Connectivity" held at the Embassy. Ambassador @AmbSibiGeorge delivered the inaugural remarks at the event, which also featured special remarks by H.E. Mr. Minoru Kihara, Hon'ble MP & former Defence Minister, H.E. Mr. P. Kumaran, Secretary (East), and H.E. Mr. Shingo Miyamoto, DG, MOFA. Discussions focused on deepening India-Japan cooperation in enhancing maritime connectivity in Indo-Pacific." On the sidelines of the seminar, Ambassador Sibi George held talks with top Japanese lawmakers. He met H.E. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Member of the House of Representatives, and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. He also received H.E. Minoru Kihara, former Defence Minister of Japan and current MP, for a similar discussion on bilateral cooperation. Last month, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, met Terada Yoshimichi, Japan's Vice Minister for International Affairs (MLITT), in Oslo. The meeting aimed to expand maritime ties between the two countries, including Japanese investment in Indian shipyards, cooperation in port digitisation, green initiatives, R & D, seafarer employment, and upskilling. The two sides also discussed Japan's possible collaboration in developing the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep Islands into smart, sustainable, and disaster-resilient islands. Sonowal said Japan's expertise in this area could help in deploying renewable energy, smart mobility, and digital infrastructure. In April 2025, following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express condolences. Prior to the call, both PM Ishiba and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya had issued public messages of sympathy. The India-Japan partnership has seen regular high-level interactions. In October 2024, PM Modi met with Prime Minister Ishiba in Vientiane, Laos, during the ASEAN summit. Both leaders discussed enhanced cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, defence, and other key areas. India and Japan continue to maintain strategic engagement through structured dialogues. The 17th Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi in August 2024, along with the 3rd round of the 2+2 Ministerial Meeting on the same day, reflecting the countries' commitment to regional peace, maritime security, and shared prosperity.
