International relations enigma haunts 'flexible diplomacy'

Officially, Taipei also responded diplomatically. Foreign Minister David Lin said the bilateral relationship with Honduras remains “normal” and “solid” and “will not be affected” even if Tegucigalpa moves to develop economic and trade relations with China. However, he added, Taipei does not consider it acceptable for its diplomatic allies to recognize China while maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan. “We don't think dual recognition is acceptable and we don't think that will happen,” he stressed.

Maybe. Taiwan under President Ma Ying-jeou is practicing “flexible diplomacy” that aims at ending the competition between Taipei and Beijing to poach each other's diplomatic allies. It has worked since he was inaugurated in May 2008. None of Taiwan's 23 allies have since defected to China.

But the flexible diplomacy, like the pragmatic diplomacy former President Lee Teng-hui practiced, isn't flexible enough. There's a difference in translation into English of Ma's “flexible diplomacy (活路外交).” Literally and practically, it can also be rendered as “way-out diplomacy.” It's a diplomacy that is meant to enable Taiwan to find a way out of the predicament of losing countries with which it had hoped to maintain diplomatic relations.

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