`Energy diplomacy’ could offer diplomatic relief

Faced with the ominous rise of China, Taiwan might consider developing its “energy diplomacy” with oil-producing countries in Africa and the Middle East in a bid to counter Beijing’s implacable diplomatic strategy, political observers said yesterday.

Under China’s relentless diplomatic suppression of Taiwan, dubbed the “three guang” strategy (三光政策), analysts are worried that Beijing may wage another wave of diplomatic warfare in the near future, especially with the planned overseas visit by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) in May coming hot on the heels of the trip by his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), next month.

Beijing’s “three guang” strategy refers to Beijing’s determination to “take all” of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, “block all” of Taiwan’s international channels and “crush all” of Taiwan’s international space.

Taipei Times