Given that Taiwan should not want to set a precedent for China to treat Taiwan in this crisis between Manila and Taipei, I find this justification for Taiwan's militant and angry rejection of the Philippines' efforts to resolve their mistake in killing a Taiwanese fisherman to be rather short-sighted. Even if Manila has not yet done enough, why deploy the big guns against a friendly neighbor?
You think Peking isn't taking notes on how Taiwan treats a weaker state?
And this part of the article justifying Taiwan's harsh actions--including deploying military assets--really burns:
What Taiwan would like to see is a face-to-face, sincere apology from the Philippine government where they promise clearly and explicitly to provide a national compensation for the victim's family and punishment for the perpetrators. The Philippines, thus far, has been ambiguous with its responses at best. That, alone, is enough to prove their insincerity.
And it is because of this reason that Taiwan is compelled to conduct retaliatory measures to exert pressure on the Philippine government. It may not be fair to some Filipino workers, but punishment always comes at a price. The Taiwan government will at all cost do whatever it can to protect the sovereignty of the country and the safety of its people - which any nation would do.
The Taiwan government--reflecting their people--will "at all cost" protect the sovereignty of the country?
Really? That's the argument this author wants to make? As Taiwanese defense spending remains inadequate and drops as a percent of the GDP? And as the island democracy seems as unwilling to confront a stronger power as they are willing to confront a weaker power that is a fellow democracy? That's pretty big talk from Taipei over Manila's actions, eh?
It's madness, I tell you. Madness. Of all people, the Taiwanese should see their national interest (which the Chinese obviously don't even accept Taiwan has) in working through diplomacy without threats of military power brandished against a weaker party.
Pray tell, what will Taiwan do next? Fire their new cruise missiles over the Philippines?
UPDATE: By all means, investigate this thoroughly and if Manila is as wrong as Taipei says (and I suspect Taiwan is correct), that will come out. But given the good relations the two countries have had--including defense ties--WTF? Seriously, bullying the Philippines is so rock-pounding stupid that I can hardly believe this is happening.
Is this a pretext to look tough with somebody? I can't believe that Taiwan is handing China a template for how China can act if Taiwan throws an elbow at China in a sea dispute.
Get. A. Grip, as I'm sure our unofficial diplomat to Taiwan is feeling:
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Public Affairs Officer Sheila Paskman said the shooting incident should be thoroughly investigated and both sides should avoid overreacting in the meantime, according to the United Evening News.
Maintaining that she was not speaking on behalf of the U.S. State Department, Paskman said she personally feels that both Taiwan and the Philippines must calm down to avoid making reckless and wrong decisions in spite of the tremendous pressure coming from their own people.
The Taiwanese are complaining that the Philippines are trying to make the Taiwanese look like the bad guys. I suggest that Taiwan stop acting like the bad guys. Which is a pretty major foreign policy fail considering the Taiwanese are the side with the dead fisherman.
