Complicated disputes can require pragmatic solutions. This has been forgotten by the Philippines in the fallout from the killing by its coastguard of a Taiwanese fisherman. Much is at stake economically, so skirting muddied waters is an inadequate response. Manila has to show remorse.

Diplomatically, that is not easy for the Philippines, which recognises Beijing, not Taipei. So a direct apology from the highest level of government would seemingly not be in keeping with protocol. That lack of recognition also makes resolving territorial waters disputes troubling; the killing was in an area both claim as being in their 200 nautical-mile off-shore exclusive economic zones. With Beijing also claiming the sea, a deal like that between Taiwan and Japan to share fishing resources is challenging.

Politics also has to be negotiated. Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's approval rating has fallen to just 14 per cent and the row offers a chance for a turnaround. Taipei has so far recalled its envoy to Manila, frozen applications for work permits, halted economic exchanges and staged navy drills in which the Philippines is the perceived enemy.

The Philippines has most to lose. More than 85,000 Filipinos work in Taiwan - an important matter for the Philippines, which has a rising unemployment rate and where remittances from overseas workers account for 26 per cent of the economy. Taiwan exported US$3.2 billion in goods to its southern neighbour in the first four months of this year, while the island was the eighth-biggest destination for Philippine products in 2012. That the final day of polling in important mid-term Philippine elections held Monday occurred the day after the shooting was no excuse for a slow diplomatic response. Nor is sending a special envoy so long after the incident and sending low-ranking diplomats to deliver apologies.