ID :
16397
Wed, 08/20/2008 - 00:20
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/16397
The shortlink copeid
Taiwan appoints veteran diplomat, KMT heavyweight as envoy to Japan
TAIPEI, Aug. 19 Kyodo - Taiwan's Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday the appointment of John Feng, an experienced diplomat and ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) heavyweight, as the island's top representative to Japan.
The appointment of 62-year-old Feng to head the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office -- Taiwan's de facto embassy in Tokyo in the absence of formal relations between the two sides -- ended weeks of speculation as to whowould fill the post and when.
The post has been vacant since Koh Se-kai resigned last month following a diplomatic row between Taipei and Tokyo over a boat collision in disputedwaters.
Feng is a close aide to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, having earlier thisyear served as an adviser and spokesman during Ma's presidential campaign.
The Harvard-educated Feng also worked in Taiwan's representative office in the United States and in the North American Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry. He is a former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, one of Taiwan'sfew diplomatic allies.
It was not immediately clear when Feng would arrive in Japan.
Japan broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan when it switched diplomatic recognitionfrom Taipei to Beijing in 1972.
Taipei-Tokyo relations have been in flux since a collision in disputed watersbetween vessels from the two sides sparked a diplomatic row in June.
Making matters worse was Ma's failure to quickly appoint a new representative to Japan after taking office in March, triggering worries that he has neglectedbilateral ties while focusing on improving relations with Beijing.
Feng's predecessor Koh quit as Taiwan's last top representative to Japan on July 10 after slamming Ma for what he said was the president's impulsivehandling of the row.
Ma had recalled Koh and demanded a full-fledged apology from Japan and compensation for the collision, while Taiwanese Premier Liu Chao-shiuan had gone so far as to talk of war with Japan to assert Taiwan's sovereignty overthe disputed waters.
Koh, a vigorous Taiwan independence advocate, was widely considered a holdover from the previous administration led by the now-opposition DemocraticProgressive Party.
Feng's appointment comes just weeks after Japan's new top representative to Taiwan took office. Masaki Saito arrived in Taipei last month to head theInterchange Association, Japan's de facto embassy here.
The appointment of 62-year-old Feng to head the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office -- Taiwan's de facto embassy in Tokyo in the absence of formal relations between the two sides -- ended weeks of speculation as to whowould fill the post and when.
The post has been vacant since Koh Se-kai resigned last month following a diplomatic row between Taipei and Tokyo over a boat collision in disputedwaters.
Feng is a close aide to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, having earlier thisyear served as an adviser and spokesman during Ma's presidential campaign.
The Harvard-educated Feng also worked in Taiwan's representative office in the United States and in the North American Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry. He is a former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, one of Taiwan'sfew diplomatic allies.
It was not immediately clear when Feng would arrive in Japan.
Japan broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan when it switched diplomatic recognitionfrom Taipei to Beijing in 1972.
Taipei-Tokyo relations have been in flux since a collision in disputed watersbetween vessels from the two sides sparked a diplomatic row in June.
Making matters worse was Ma's failure to quickly appoint a new representative to Japan after taking office in March, triggering worries that he has neglectedbilateral ties while focusing on improving relations with Beijing.
Feng's predecessor Koh quit as Taiwan's last top representative to Japan on July 10 after slamming Ma for what he said was the president's impulsivehandling of the row.
Ma had recalled Koh and demanded a full-fledged apology from Japan and compensation for the collision, while Taiwanese Premier Liu Chao-shiuan had gone so far as to talk of war with Japan to assert Taiwan's sovereignty overthe disputed waters.
Koh, a vigorous Taiwan independence advocate, was widely considered a holdover from the previous administration led by the now-opposition DemocraticProgressive Party.
Feng's appointment comes just weeks after Japan's new top representative to Taiwan took office. Masaki Saito arrived in Taipei last month to head theInterchange Association, Japan's de facto embassy here.
