Joseph Shih (Chinese: 石定; pinyin: Shí Dìng), also known by his English name Ting Joseph Shih, is a Taiwanese diplomat and politician. He has held several senior positions within the Republic of China (Taiwan) government, most notably serving as the nation’s Representative to South Korea from 2014 to 2018 and as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Executive Yuan from March 2013 to July 2014【2†L13-L24】.
Early life and education
Shih earned a Bachelor of Arts from National Chengchi University, a Master of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University【2†L34-L38】.
Diplomatic career
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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1 March 2013 – 15 July 2014). In this role he was involved in Taiwan’s response to the 2013 North Korean crisis, stating that the government had no immediate evacuation plan for the roughly 16,000 Taiwanese citizens residing in South Korea at the time【2†L41-L48】.
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Representative to South Korea (15 July 2014 – 5 September 2018). As the head of the Taipei Mission in Korea, Shih oversaw diplomatic relations between Taiwan and South Korea during a period that included heightened regional security concerns.
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Ambassador to Belize (5 February 2006 – 9 April 2010).
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Representative to New Zealand (2002 – 2006).
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Deputy Representative to South Africa (1998 – 1999).
Notable incidents
During the 2013 Guang Da Xing No. 28 incident—where a Philippine vessel shot a Taiwanese fishing boat—Shih publicly rejected the Philippines’ claim that the shot was a warning, citing evidence of 32 bullet holes on the Taiwanese vessel. He summoned the Philippine representative to Taiwan to demand an official apology【2†L56-L66】.
Personal details
Shih’s Chinese name is 石定 (Shí Dìng). His career has spanned both diplomatic postings abroad and senior roles within Taiwan’s foreign ministry.
Sources: Wikipedia entry “Joseph Shih” (accessed via Jina AI mirror).