Taiwan’s allies are fewer and fewer. In Latin America, four countries have broken with the democratic island republic since 2017. Now Honduras also wants to switch to China. Taipei is outraged.
The democratic island nation of Taiwan loses another diplomatic ally to the People’s Republic of China. The Central American country Honduras has announced that it wants to establish relations with Beijing.
The left-wing government of President Xiomara Castro decided to do this out of pragmatism, Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina said in a television interview. Taiwan’s foreign ministry issued a statement urging Honduras not to “fall into China’s trap.” With its one-China doctrine, the communist leadership in Beijing does not allow any country to have relations with both the People’s Republic and Taiwan.
“Not achieved what we hoped for from Taiwan”
There are only 14 countries in the world that recognize Taiwan diplomatically – including small Pacific countries, Caribbean islands, Central American states and the Vatican. “At the international level, China is a real, important player,” Reina told Canal 5. Honduras must open up to new markets, investments and cooperation out of its own interest. It’s not about ideologies. The historical relationship with Taiwan, while positive, brings little benefit to Honduras. “We haven’t achieved what we hoped for from Taiwan,” said Reina.
Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the island part of its territory and opposes any form of official diplomatic contact between Taiwan and other countries. Beijing has intensified a campaign to isolate Taiwan internationally for several years. From China’s point of view, there were successes above all in Central America. Since 2017, Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Nicaragua have broken with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with China.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry warned Honduras not to make a wrong decision that could damage long-term friendship with Taiwan. Taiwan has repeatedly reminded Honduras that China’s goal is to reduce Taiwan’s support in the international community, not to improve the welfare of the Honduran people through cooperation.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
