Amid speculation that Malawi might severe its 41-year-long diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of China, Minister of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) James Huang (黃志芳) left for the African country late last night, sources said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, ministry sources said the effort by Huang indicated that Taipei might be able to salvage ties with its longtime ally.
Huang had planned to visit Malawi last month when the ministry learned that China had offered it a US$6 billion financial package in exchange for diplomatic recognition.
In response, a delegation of Malawi officials was dispatched to China later last month.
MOFA instead sent Vice Minister Yang Tzu-pao (楊子葆) and African Affairs Department Director Chang Yun-ping (張雲屏) to deal with the rumors that Malawi would end diplomatic relations.
Late last month, several local newspapers in Malawi ran reports that Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika had sanctioned severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan while a delegation to Beijing led by Presidential Affairs Minister Davis Katsonga was set to sign a memorandum of understanding to pave the way for establishing diplomatic ties with China.
Mutharika, on the other hand, assured Taiwan during recent talks that his country's diplomatic relations with Taiwan remained stable, the ministry said.
Huang made a public call at the ministry's year-end press conference on Friday, saying that Malawi should "choose wisely" between Taiwan and Beijing.
He said Beijing was casting its covetous eyes on Malawi's natural resources, while relations with Taiwan offered trust, dependability and unwavering friendship that take the improvement of the living standards of Malawian into account.
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Taiwan's foreign minister flies to Malawi again to save ties
Taipei - Taiwan sent its foreign minister to Malawi again on Wednesday to prevent the African nation from cutting ties with Taipei to recognize China.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh confirmed to the Central News Agency (CNA) that Foreign Minister James Huang and his aides, including Chang Yun-ping, head of the Department of African Affairs, flew to Malawi Wednesday evening.
The trip is Huang's second in a month to Malawi to save diplomatic ties.
Yeh said Huang had been informed of the reported visit by two Malawian ministers to Beijing, and felt it necessary to visit Malawi in a bid to save ties.
Yeh admitted that Taiwan-Malawi ties are fragile.
'He will discuss new cooperation projects with Malawian leaders, and find out if there are still areas in Malawi's development plans where Taiwan can assist,' CNA quoted her as saying.
'Taiwan and Malawi's four-decade friendship is based upon the fact that Taiwan has been Malawi's best cooperation partner. We will continue to communicate with Malawi from this position,' she said.
Malawi is one of the 24 countries which recognize Taiwan, but is mulling dumping Taiwan to recognize China.
On December 21, the Malawi's Nyasa Times reported that President Bingu wa Mutharika had approved recognizing China, and two ministers were to fly to Beijing on December 24.
They would sign a memorandum of understanding to pave the way for launching diplomatic ties, the paper said.
The two ministers have returned home but the Malawian government has not announced if it will severe ties with Taiwan to recognize China yet.
Last month, Huang visited Malawi to consolidate ties, and twice summoned Malawi's ambassador to the Foreign Ministry to seek clarification on Malawi's plans. The ambassador insisted Malawi- Taiwan ties remain unchanged.
Huang admitted that Taiwan-Malawi ties were shaky because China had offered Malawi 6 billion US dollars to win over the landlocked copper-producing country in southern Africa.
China sees Taiwan as its breakaway province and is wooing Taiwan's diplomatic allies to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing under Beijing's 'one-China' principle.
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh confirmed to the Central News Agency (CNA) that Foreign Minister James Huang and his aides, including Chang Yun-ping, head of the Department of African Affairs, flew to Malawi Wednesday evening.
The trip is Huang's second in a month to Malawi to save diplomatic ties.
Yeh said Huang had been informed of the reported visit by two Malawian ministers to Beijing, and felt it necessary to visit Malawi in a bid to save ties.
Yeh admitted that Taiwan-Malawi ties are fragile.
'He will discuss new cooperation projects with Malawian leaders, and find out if there are still areas in Malawi's development plans where Taiwan can assist,' CNA quoted her as saying.
'Taiwan and Malawi's four-decade friendship is based upon the fact that Taiwan has been Malawi's best cooperation partner. We will continue to communicate with Malawi from this position,' she said.
Malawi is one of the 24 countries which recognize Taiwan, but is mulling dumping Taiwan to recognize China.
On December 21, the Malawi's Nyasa Times reported that President Bingu wa Mutharika had approved recognizing China, and two ministers were to fly to Beijing on December 24.
They would sign a memorandum of understanding to pave the way for launching diplomatic ties, the paper said.
The two ministers have returned home but the Malawian government has not announced if it will severe ties with Taiwan to recognize China yet.
Last month, Huang visited Malawi to consolidate ties, and twice summoned Malawi's ambassador to the Foreign Ministry to seek clarification on Malawi's plans. The ambassador insisted Malawi- Taiwan ties remain unchanged.
Huang admitted that Taiwan-Malawi ties were shaky because China had offered Malawi 6 billion US dollars to win over the landlocked copper-producing country in southern Africa.
China sees Taiwan as its breakaway province and is wooing Taiwan's diplomatic allies to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing under Beijing's 'one-China' principle.
Donations sought for Malawi appeal
FOR those who may be dusting off the post-Christmas cobwebs, a rummage through the cupboards might be in order – as Mayo aid volunteers seek a plethora of items to send to Malawi.
Neale woman Marie O’Malley is at the forefront of a mammoth collection to send containers to one of Africa’s most impoverished countries with an urgent call issued to the general public to donate items of clothing, blankets, soaps, sheets and medical supplies.
Furthermore, school books, copies and stationery are also sought for a country where the average industrial wage is a little over a euro a day.
“The appeal is for medical supplies to send to Malawi, items which are in extremely short supply. There is very little in the country and following our trip in November of last year, a group of nurses identified the need for medical and school supplies. The total cost of sending over one container, between shipping and transport to and from each location, is approximately €4,000. We are hoping to send one with a view to perhaps arranging another container at a later date,” said Marie.
Marie, who has travelled to southern Africa on two previous occasions to carry out aid work with the Tracy Piggott foundation ‘Playing for Life’, has described living conditions there as ‘horrendous’.
“Life expectancy is in the mid-thirties and the main cause of death is the AIDS virus, about which there is very little education. It is really holding back the development of the country. Furthermore, a basic lack of sanitation means people are dying from treatable diseases such as malaria and TB. Medical staff at hospitals, the majority of the time, are unable to treat patients due to a basic lack of supplies,” said Marie.
For further information please contact Marie O’Malley on 087 6305369
Neale woman Marie O’Malley is at the forefront of a mammoth collection to send containers to one of Africa’s most impoverished countries with an urgent call issued to the general public to donate items of clothing, blankets, soaps, sheets and medical supplies.
Furthermore, school books, copies and stationery are also sought for a country where the average industrial wage is a little over a euro a day.
“The appeal is for medical supplies to send to Malawi, items which are in extremely short supply. There is very little in the country and following our trip in November of last year, a group of nurses identified the need for medical and school supplies. The total cost of sending over one container, between shipping and transport to and from each location, is approximately €4,000. We are hoping to send one with a view to perhaps arranging another container at a later date,” said Marie.
Marie, who has travelled to southern Africa on two previous occasions to carry out aid work with the Tracy Piggott foundation ‘Playing for Life’, has described living conditions there as ‘horrendous’.
“Life expectancy is in the mid-thirties and the main cause of death is the AIDS virus, about which there is very little education. It is really holding back the development of the country. Furthermore, a basic lack of sanitation means people are dying from treatable diseases such as malaria and TB. Medical staff at hospitals, the majority of the time, are unable to treat patients due to a basic lack of supplies,” said Marie.
For further information please contact Marie O’Malley on 087 6305369
MSP praises Malawi charity
ONE of the Capital's MSPs has praised a charity which has raised £125,000 for the impoverished African nation of Malawi.
Edinburgh South Lib Dem MSP Mike Pringle has lodged a parliamentary motion congratulating Linda MacDonald and all the volunteers at Mums charity for its success in selling charity cookbooks for Malawi.
The money raised by the group will go towards buying much needed medical supplies for Bottom Maternity Hospital in Lilongwe.
Mr Pringle, who was born in neighbouring Zambia has visited the hospital several times.
Edinburgh South Lib Dem MSP Mike Pringle has lodged a parliamentary motion congratulating Linda MacDonald and all the volunteers at Mums charity for its success in selling charity cookbooks for Malawi.
The money raised by the group will go towards buying much needed medical supplies for Bottom Maternity Hospital in Lilongwe.
Mr Pringle, who was born in neighbouring Zambia has visited the hospital several times.
Country to Send 39 Swimmers to Malawi Gala
ZIMBABWE will this year send 39 swimmers to the fifth African Swimming Confederation Zone 4 invitational short course gala in Lilongwe, Malawi, from January 3-5.
Formerly known as the Sub Saharan Championships this gala has attracted about 200 swimmers from 10 African countries, including South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique, Kenya and hosts Malawi.
The Zimbabwe team, managed by Glenda Heard and coached by Sue Bradshaw and Fiona Rosser, is expected to leave for Lilongwe tomorrow.
At least 20 members of this team are expected to bring home medals, but five names stand out as the potential stars who should have gold in their sights --17 year-old Nick James, James Lawson (12), Federico Bescotti (10), Samantha Welch (12) and Tarryn Rennie (12).
But expectations are high that James Lawson of Pirates Club will have a medal haul after his exploits on the domestic scene.
Lawson is scheduled to swim in a marathon 12 individual events in the 12-and-under group over the three days, but he is a classy and super-fit competitor who has cracked several Zimbabwe records this year and holds all the breaststroke marks (50m in 35.76sec; 100m in 1min 19.16sec; 200m in 2min 48.40sec).
He will also strive for Gold in the 200 metres individual medley where he has clocked 2min 36.94sec.
Nick James also of Pirates and who will compete in the 17-and-over group is another with immense talent, especially in the 100 metres backstroke where he has come close to cracking the magic minute.
He is set to swim nine events and could notch a rich haul of medals for Zimbabwe.
It will also be interesting to note the talents of the two 12-year-old Spartans swimmers, Sam Welch and powerful sprinter Tarryn Rennie, when they are pitted against the likes of the South Africans.
Both are red-hot prospects to blossom into real talents in the future. At just 12 Tarryn has scorched to a 27.87sec 50 metres short-course freestyle, while "Super Sam" has 1min 21.40sec for the 100 metres breaststroke and 2min 53.47sec for the 200 metres breaststroke.
At 10-years-old Federico "Chicco" Bescotti is one of the youngest in the team, but he has displayed a significant style and talent in the backstroke and is a real hope for Gold in these events.
Also in the team is one of Zimbabwe's elite swimmers, Maxine Heard (16), who now trains at the High Performance Centre in South Africa.
Ordinarily Maxine, a member of the Zimbabwe team at the All-Africa Games in Algeria would carry major hopes of many medals, but she has had a lay-off after a back injury and is not yet back to her peak.
However, at this level her class and competitiveness should carry her through to outstanding achievements in her 11 events.
Others who could also come to the fore, are Amy Bond (13) in the 50 metres breaststroke, Bree Caterall (10) in the 50 metres butterfly, Kerry Hutchings (15), in the 50 metres butterfly, Bronwyn Palmer (17), Shannon Taute (13), Roxanne Viviers (14), Charlotte Wetzlar (16), Alexander Derry (18, who reaped nine Golds at the recent Mashonaland championships), Tim Desmond (17), Jason Dickinson (15), Levi Fargnoli (10, of Matabeleland), Sean Gunn (14), Drew Rosser (14), Tatenda Zinyemba (14) and Jamie Schultz (15, who swam in South Africa's Prestige championships this year).
Formerly known as the Sub Saharan Championships this gala has attracted about 200 swimmers from 10 African countries, including South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique, Kenya and hosts Malawi.
The Zimbabwe team, managed by Glenda Heard and coached by Sue Bradshaw and Fiona Rosser, is expected to leave for Lilongwe tomorrow.
At least 20 members of this team are expected to bring home medals, but five names stand out as the potential stars who should have gold in their sights --17 year-old Nick James, James Lawson (12), Federico Bescotti (10), Samantha Welch (12) and Tarryn Rennie (12).
But expectations are high that James Lawson of Pirates Club will have a medal haul after his exploits on the domestic scene.
Lawson is scheduled to swim in a marathon 12 individual events in the 12-and-under group over the three days, but he is a classy and super-fit competitor who has cracked several Zimbabwe records this year and holds all the breaststroke marks (50m in 35.76sec; 100m in 1min 19.16sec; 200m in 2min 48.40sec).
He will also strive for Gold in the 200 metres individual medley where he has clocked 2min 36.94sec.
Nick James also of Pirates and who will compete in the 17-and-over group is another with immense talent, especially in the 100 metres backstroke where he has come close to cracking the magic minute.
He is set to swim nine events and could notch a rich haul of medals for Zimbabwe.
It will also be interesting to note the talents of the two 12-year-old Spartans swimmers, Sam Welch and powerful sprinter Tarryn Rennie, when they are pitted against the likes of the South Africans.
Both are red-hot prospects to blossom into real talents in the future. At just 12 Tarryn has scorched to a 27.87sec 50 metres short-course freestyle, while "Super Sam" has 1min 21.40sec for the 100 metres breaststroke and 2min 53.47sec for the 200 metres breaststroke.
At 10-years-old Federico "Chicco" Bescotti is one of the youngest in the team, but he has displayed a significant style and talent in the backstroke and is a real hope for Gold in these events.
Also in the team is one of Zimbabwe's elite swimmers, Maxine Heard (16), who now trains at the High Performance Centre in South Africa.
Ordinarily Maxine, a member of the Zimbabwe team at the All-Africa Games in Algeria would carry major hopes of many medals, but she has had a lay-off after a back injury and is not yet back to her peak.
However, at this level her class and competitiveness should carry her through to outstanding achievements in her 11 events.
Others who could also come to the fore, are Amy Bond (13) in the 50 metres breaststroke, Bree Caterall (10) in the 50 metres butterfly, Kerry Hutchings (15), in the 50 metres butterfly, Bronwyn Palmer (17), Shannon Taute (13), Roxanne Viviers (14), Charlotte Wetzlar (16), Alexander Derry (18, who reaped nine Golds at the recent Mashonaland championships), Tim Desmond (17), Jason Dickinson (15), Levi Fargnoli (10, of Matabeleland), Sean Gunn (14), Drew Rosser (14), Tatenda Zinyemba (14) and Jamie Schultz (15, who swam in South Africa's Prestige championships this year).
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