Taipei, Dec. 5 (CNA) The days of strictly political diplomacy and confrontational competition with China in the international arena are long gone, but Taiwan is capable of pursuing its diplomatic initiatives in other ways, such as ecology consultation, a lawmaker versed in the field said Wednesday.
"No one will say no to ecological and environmental protection these days, " said Legislator Tien Chiu-chin, who led an 11-member mission to Saint Lucia, Taiwan's diplomatic ally in the Caribbean, Nov. 25 - Dec. 2 to help develop its Eco Tourism and birding infrastructure.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs-backed mission, comprised of senior birders and ecological photographers, was aimed at helping the Caribbean country establish its Eco Tourism routes and birding Web sites, as well as documenting bird species for the future publication of a birding guide, an essential tool for birders, Tien said.
During the mission's stay, 46 bird species were documented, including St. Lucia's national bird, the Saint Lucia parrot, and 25 were photographed. Two photographers attached to the mission have extended their stays for another month.
"This is a brand new attempt for us to embrace the global trend of environment diplomacy and preservation of bio-diversity and develop our international diplomacy at the same time. There's no better place for such a mission than St. Lucia, which re-established official diplomatic ties with Taiwan Apr. 30, " said MOFA Minister James Huang.
It is the first time the MOFA has worked with a non-government organization (NGO) on an "eco-diplomacy program, " Huang noted. He also thanked Taiwan Sustainable Ecology Society (TSES) and Taiwan International Birding Association (TIBA) for their collaboration.
What Taiwan wanted to do for its allies is drastically different from China's intentions, which will most likely entail throwing a large amount of cash for "monumental projects" at its less-developed allies, Huang said.
"China helped build a large sports stadium in southern St. Lucia although most St. Lucians live in the north, and built a large psychiatric hospital for St. Lucia which has no need of such a facility, " he said.
"We [Taiwan] don't want to do that. Among other things, we are trying to build community centers and help the country to improve its water quality, agriculture and digital education. The idea is to make people's lives better, " Huang stressed.
The St. Lucia mission was a good start, and Taiwan will continue developing its international relations through the application of its expertise in forms of "soft power, " such as Eco-tourism, information technology and cultural innovations, Huang said.