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IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
Chinese embassy hosts reception for 98th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army
Chinese embassy held a reception to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Image: Sinenhlanhla Masilela/ Independent Newspapers To celebrate this year's 98th anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the Chinese embassy held a reception at their head offices in Pretoria. The gathering was attended by members from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as well as other military personnel from various countries. Speaking at the event on Friday, Ambassador of China to South Africa, Wu Peng, said over the past 98 years and under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the PLA has emerged from trials and tribulations and made an outstanding contribution to the liberation of the Chinese people. He said the PLA has made tremendous contributions to China's peaceful construction in safeguarding national sovereignty as well as security and development interests. Furthermore, he added that the Chinese military consistently serves as a resolute force in maintaining world peace and stability. "China firmly pursues peaceful development and exercises a national defence policy that is defensive in nature. The Chinese military actively fulfills our national responsibilities and obligations, extensively participates in national peace keeping counter-terrorism, maritime escort mission, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations," he added. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the world's second largest economy, he said China is committed to promoting multilateralism with the international community, as well as upholding international fairness and justice, and building a world of lasting peace and universal security. As BRICS members, ambassador Peng said China will continue working with South Africa to consolidate mutual political trust and firmly support each other by expanding exchanges at all levels. "This also includes deepening practical cooperation in various fields, and promoting greater development in bilateral and military relations, so as to make new and greater contributions to world peace, stability, and prosperity." Meanwhile, on the military side, the ambassador said the PLA and the SANDF continue to enjoy constant exchanges at all levels. "Practical cooperation between the two militaries achieved remarkable results, giving strong support to development of bilateral ties. China and South Africa enjoy time-honoured and ever-growing friendship and partnership. We also share the same aspirations and work to achieve mutual benefit. Our exchanges and cooperation in various fields continue to expand, which benefits the people of both countries," he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Speaking for the SANDF, Defence Deputy Minister Bantu Holomisa said since it was established in August 1972, the PLA has grown into one of the world's most modern and capable armed forces, grounded in discipline, innovation, and the spirit of national service. He said the PLA's journey has been marked the beginning of a journey characterised by resilience, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, unity, and development of China. Moreover, he said South Africa and China are bound by a history of shared struggle and solidarity. "We deeply value the support China provided during South Africa's liberation movement, and the principled friendship it has maintained in the years since. The legacy of this solidarity was captured in the words of our founding father, Nelson Mandela, who described China as a steadfast partner in the fight against apartheid. "He believed that the bonds of brotherhood forged in struggle must become the foundation for partnerships in peace and development. Today, we carry that vision forward in our cooperation across all sectors, including defence. "Defence cooperation between our countries has grown steadily and meaningfully. Joint military training exercises, high-level visits, capacity building, and knowledge exchange are tangible demonstrations of our strategic partnership," said Holomisa. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Eyewitness News
10 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
'Win-win' and still pushing: Reactions to Trump tariffs
TOKYO - Some nations reacted with relief Friday after US President Donald Trump announced tariffs that in some cases were lower than threatened and delayed by a week to 7 August. But others - including Switzerland and chip powerhouse Taiwan - still hope to negotiate lower rates, and uncertainty remains over transshipments and levies on Japanese cars. Trump's announcement does not cover export giant China - currently in negotiations on a trade deal ahead of a 12 August deadline - but here is how other economies reacted: THAILAND: 'MAJOR SUCCESS' The 19% levy for Thailand and Cambodia - fresh from border clashes that killed over 40 people - is a let-off from the threatened 36%. Thailand called it a "major success" and a "win-win approach aimed at preserving Thailand's export base and long-term economic stability". The US trade deficit with Thailand hit $45.6 billion in 2024. Its main exports include machinery, vehicles and auto components. CAMBODIA: 'BEST NEWS' Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called it "the best news for the people and economy of Cambodia to continue to develop the country". The major manufacturer of low-cost clothing for Western brands was initially menaced with a tariff of 40%. Neighbouring Vietnam concluded an agreement with Washington at the beginning of July on a rate reduced to 20%. WHAT ABOUT TRANSSHIPMENTS? But Washington also intends to impose a 40% surcharge on goods transported to the United States via third countries - known as transshipments. This could hurt in particular nations in Southeast Asia, whose production chains are closely linked to China. Many Cambodian factories, for example, are Chinese-owned and the White House has accused the kingdom of allowing Chinese goods to stop over on the way to US markets, skirting steeper rates imposed on Beijing. Experts however are unclear on how Washington will define these "transshipment" goods. TAIWAN: STILL PUSHING Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called its 20% tariff announced by Trump "temporary... with the possibility of further reductions should an agreement be reached." The US president had threatened to hit the island with a 32% tax and possible duties on the island's huge semiconductors shipments. Soaring demand for Taiwan's AI chips industry has fuelled its trade surplus with Washington, putting it in the crosshairs of Trump's tariff blitz. Washington "needs Taiwan in supporting resilient supply chains, in supporting manufacturing and some high-end technologies," Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said recently. SWITZERLAND: 'GREAT REGRET' Switzerland expressed "great regret" that it was hit with 39% - up from the threatened 31% - despite its "very constructive position". The levy - more than double the European Union's 15% - appeared to catch the rich Alpine nation off guard. Switzerland ranks sixth in terms of direct investment in the United States, with pharma giants Roche and Novartis announcing major spending plans in recent months. JAPAN: CAR CONFUSION A tariff of 15% agreed last week between Japan and Washington - down from a threatened 25% - is due to be applied from 7 August. But Japanese auto exports were already being hit by a 25% rate, and Tokyo wants to know when this will be lowered too. "We continue to urge the US to take prompt measures to implement the agreement, including lowering tariffs on automobile and auto parts," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday. Confusion also surrounds Trump's claim that Japan - as a "signing bonus" - will invest $550 billion in America, which will recoup 90% of the profits. MALAYSIA: 'POSITIVE OUTCOME' Malaysia also achieved a lower tariff of 19% - down from 25% - which the government called a "positive outcome". "This decision by the United States reflects the strong and enduring economic ties between our two nations," Trade and Industry Minister Zafrul Abdul Aziz said. SRI LANKA: 'HAPPY' Sri Lanka also expressed relief that it will face a 20% hit, a sharp reduction from the 44% originally floated, and expressed hope of a further cut. "We are happy that our competitiveness in exports to the US has been retained," finance ministry official Harshana Suriyapperuma told reporters. Around 40% of Sri Lanka's $5.0 billion of garment exports last year went to the United States.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Land Grabs Threaten Peace in Somaliland
Local pastoralists raising sheep at the Wajaale Plains. Image: Supplied Recently, the new Somaliland administration has signed a $100 million agriculture project agreement to boost agriculture and food security with US based African Food Security (AFS) at QolCadey Plains, outskirts of Hargeisa, Somaliland's capital, despite the shady AFS Agricultural project deals in Senegal that went sour. The local farmers and pastoralists communities are against the plan because of lack of consultation, but the government is planning to go ahead with the project. Also, the Somaliland government has given permission for the Pharo Foundation, a non-profit NGO based in Nairobi to acquire a whopping 10,000 hectares of the fertile land of the Wajaale Plains in the Gabiley District in western Somaliland, against the will and without the consent of the local people or consideration for the impact on the livelihood of the communal farmers. This blatant disregard for the input of the local people and communal farmers would only exacerbate the already tense relationship between Gabiley communities and the Somaliland administration regarding agricultural land and also minerals and gold. Two weeks ago, two people died after the police fired upon people demonstrating against a Chinese funded mining company for precious and rare metals in clashes with the indigenous people in Agabar Township. This is another example of how big investors using NGOs or rich countries are acquiring indigenous farming land under the guise of agricultural development. For example, the Nasdaq-traded agribusiness company, African Agriculture took over a staggering 2.9 million hectares of farming land across Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. In 2024, the company was delisted from Nasdaq when its shares fell below the $1 minimum value threshold. Now, the Senegalese farmers are still fighting to get their land back. The Pharo Foundation and AFS fuel land grabs for commercial farming. Pharo Foundation is saying that they would invest $21 million to develop the Wajaale Plains. They are promising to build clinics, schools and medical supplies for the local hospital in the Gabiley District. But the Wajaale Plains smallholder farmers are upset and furious about the whole deal. They have serious concerns about the manner and how the purported Pharo agricultural investment was forced upon them. Because of that they stood up to stop the proposed project. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In 1962, the first Somali government under guidance and advice from Soviet Union experts and without the consent of the local farmers or and studies on environmental impact on the land, bulldozed the plains to make room for a hoax project to grow wheat for a pasta factory. The project failed because of a lack of sustainability and thoughtful planning. When Somaliland people restored their independence on May 18, 1991, after a brutal war, the local people finally took back their God-given land. But in early 1997, under a gentleman's agreement between the second Somaliland administration and the local elders, in good faith, the elders lent part of the Wajaale Plains to the military as a temporary relief program to grow corn to supplement their income, until the Somaliland government received enough budget support to pay its soldiers. Yet up to now not only is the military still there, but they are also selling the local farmers ' pasture to feed their livestock for money. A pasture that generations of Wajaale farmers used for free, like the oxygen we breathe. Farms at Wajaale Plains. Image: Supplied The Somaliland government and the Pharo Foundation should know that the Wajaale Plains belong exclusively to the local people under customary laws—who had been living there and cultivating the land for centuries before the successive Somali governments took over their land by force under the pretext of the hoax Wajaale project. We should also not let any NGO or related dubious investors take our land under the guise of investment or development. There are dangers associated with the Pharo Foundation and AFS investment scam targeting farmers, their land, and our own security. Some investors, NGOs, and rich countries prey on countries where governance and the rule of law are weak and corruption is rife. These are places where corrupt, unscrupulous government ministers are willing to sell indigenous land for little money regardless of the outcome of their actions. Instead, we should help and strengthen our communal farmers, make them into cooperative farming units that are more productive and resilient. For instance, a local community leader and farmer named Sheik Muhumad, with little support from the central government, in the 1960s, organized a successful and productive cooperative farming community comprising over 2,000 farmers. They grew citrus fruits, vegetables, corn, Sorghum, and other agricultural crops. They even exported their agricultural products to Djibouti, a similar venture should be replicated. The government's role should be to help farmers buy subsidised crop protection, farm machinery, fertilisers, irrigation (drip irrigation), and pumping stations. And more importantly the government should develop groundwater and marketing of their products to deliver them to the consumers. Please note that without developing water from underground aquifers, farming in the Wajaale Plains would depend on rain, which is sporadic nowadays because of climate change. Right now, we are not doing any of those things. We are one disaster away from another drought. We import most of our staple foods, vegetables and fruits. And now, giving the Pharo Foundation access to the Wajaale Plains as an investment is a mockery. Finally, the Somaliland leaders should take a cue from communal farmers' wishes! The Somaliland farmers are not against foreign investment to develop sustainable agriculture or mining to help with food security and fight the abject poverty. But they have serious concerns about the manner and how the purported Pharo agricultural investment was forced upon them. There is no transparency from the government, Pharo Foundation, AFS, and no input from stakeholders—the Wajaale Plains farmers. That has to change.
