Oh, I feel sooooo sorry for the people of Taiwan.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Huang Chih-fang Thursday expressed his support for the president's analogy comparing Taiwan-Nauru relations to those between the two homosexual characters in the Oscar-winning movie "Brokeback Mountain, " in the wake of criticism that the analogy was inappropriate. [...]

While addressing a state banquet held for visiting Nauruan President Ludwig Scotty Wednesday, President Chen Shui-bian said Taiwan and Nauru, like the two leading characters in "Brokeback Mountain," cherish their friendship despite the twists and turns in bilateral ties over the past 30 years.

According to Chen, this proves that enduring care and unselfish trust are the most precious assets between the two countries.

Opposition lawmakers, however, do not agree with the comparison.

Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Liu Sheng-liang said it might have constituted a breach of international etiquette for the president to liken the country's relations with a diplomatic ally to a homosexual relationship.

Expressing a similar opinion, Lee Ching-hua, another KMT legislator, noted that the movie actually comes with a tragic ending.

Official press release for the state banquet can be found here.