The investigation of the crash of TransAsia Airways flight GE222 last week that left a death toll of nearly 50 is still ongoing, with many media reports citing analysts saying a typhoon passing through the area was the likely cause of the deadly event. However, a report in Taiwan's Want Daily, one of the island's major Chinese-language newspapers, pointed an accusing finger at the mainland.

Citing a senior pilot from TransAsia Airways who revealed that in recent years the mainland aviation community has poached staff members of his company by offering higher salaries, the report questioned whether the flow of talent to the mainland has resulted in more work for those left behind, making serious disasters more likely.

And just like that, Taiwan's media managed to connect the tragedy with the mainland. The report was mocked by netizens on the mainland's social media. One asked, "Why does Taiwan always attribute any misfortunes to the mainland?"

We must admit that tensions between the mainland and Taiwan have emerged in recent years, especially when this year saw large protests in Taiwan against a trade pact with the mainland.

The economic development of the mainland has left many other regions in awe, Taiwan not excepted. Worrying that Taiwan may fall behind and that the mainland may extend its political influence to this small island by exploiting its economic advantage, some in Taiwan have kept a vigilant eye on the mainland.

These people have now turned their gaze to the mainland's booming aviation industry.

It is always easier to blame others than reflecting on oneself. If TransAsia Airways cannot hold onto its own staff, as the report claimed, why doesn't it take steps to attract competent replacements?

One netizen commented, "it is the company itself that's to blame for not offering high salaries." This is perhaps the cruelty of the market economy, which Taiwan has experienced more than the mainland.

Since the plane crash resulted in deaths and casualties, the media should be delicate in their reporting, to avoid doing further damage to the emotions of already grieving relatives, and to keep from stoking conflict between the mainland and Taiwan.

This is particularly important when the reporting appears to bear little resemblance to reality.

The relations between Taiwan and the mainland have always been somewhat strained. Many mainlanders are accustomed to admiring Taiwan's democratic system and the civilized behavior of its residents. This has fed a sense of superiority among Taiwanese.

But constant protests directed toward the Chinese mainland and irrational voices in Taiwan's media will serve only to drive the cross-Straits wedge deeper, a fact which has been amply demonstrated by the reaction of any number of mainland netizens.

Wu Wei, a white-collar worker in Beijing