US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki Tuesday denounced Taiwan after it raised its flag on New Year's Day at the residence of its representative to Washington, DC. Psaki said the US is "disappointed with the action" as it violated a long-held understanding of the unofficial relations between the two sides. This dealt a blow to Taiwan.

Taiwan's flag-raising ceremony at the Twin Oaks estate on New Year's Day was attended by its military representatives. Some attendees' eyes were said to be tear-filled, as this was the first time that the island's flag was raised there after it was lowered on the last day of 1978, one day before Beijing and Washington officially established diplomatic ties.

This latest ceremony was hailed by Taiwanese media as a breakthrough while Washington said it was unaware of the event and then expressed its disappointment.

Most analysts in the Chinese mainland hold that the incident is more complicated than the US just being unaware. But under pressure from the mainland, the US reaction has apparently humiliated Taiwan by reiterating its unofficial relations with Taiwan.

It is the stance of not only Beijing, but most countries in the world, that Taiwan is not a nation. As Taiwan rejects unification with the mainland, it must live with the undesirable reality of its limited capacity for diplomacy.

Taiwan resorted to diplomatic trickery when led by Chen Shui-bian, yet the current Ma Ying-jeou government has seemingly turned to similar tricks after the Kuomintang (KMT) was defeated in elections late last year. But they have to keep in mind that the mainland has far more cards to play in dealing with any diplomatic act by Taiwan, as more than a few countries that have "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan want to switch their recognition.

The mainland never intends to humiliate Taiwan, but the island has to keep its self-esteem and abide by the existing rules in cross-Straits relations and not make provocative actions.

The recent election results have changed Taiwan's political landscape with a new trend being shaped. There may have been a build-up in negative feelings toward the mainland, and now, these are being expressed.

Some in Taiwan always think that they have US support, but they overestimate the protection that Washington can offer. As the mainland's tolerance means more and more to Taiwan, irritating the mainland will bring costs to the island. In the worst scenario when advocacy for Taiwan independence makes cross-Straits peace unsustainable or at a higher cost than waging a war, the US won't stand up for Taiwan.

Taiwan often uses such trickery to inflame its people, but this will make Taiwan less respectable when dealing with Washington and Beijing. As the mainland grows stronger, some day Taiwan may become a negative asset to US diplomacy.

Political stability must be kept or even more, there should be a breakthrough in cross-Straits relations. Any moves by the Taiwan government should be directed toward this goal; any other actions are unjustified.

The KMT shouldn't think that the mainland will tolerate its government's excessive actions given its election plight. If it wants to take the risk, then it must prepare to be embarrassed.