Honduras cuts ties with Taiwan in favor of China

Honduras is the latest country to fall under the influence of China’s soft campaign to isolate Taiwan on the world stage. The Honduran government cut diplomatic ties with  Taiwan over the weekend, announcing it recognizes “only one China in the world” under pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

On Sunday morning, China’s state-controlled media reported Honduras established diplomatic relations with Honduras.

The announcement by the Honduran Foreign Ministry posted on Twitter comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and the U.S.-led democratic international rules-based order, including China’s increasing aggression toward Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.

After decades of pressure, Taiwan, which has also not been allowed to join the United Nations, is recognized by just 13 nations.

“The government of the Republic of Honduras recognizes the existence of only one China in the world and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China,” the Honduran ministry statement said.

It added that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and as of today, the Honduran government has informed Taiwan of the severance of diplomatic relations, pledging not to have any official relationship or contact with Taiwan.”

Taiwan’s Bi-khim Hsiao, ambassador to the United States, said of the move on Twitter, “Regrettable that the Honduran government has betrayed Taiwan’s friendship for China. They will soon realize that whatever the CCP did to lure them will be nothing but empty promises and malign influence.

“Taiwan was a solid partner of the Honduran people for 82 years, contributing to public health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and more. The HN government has abandoned this to embrace an authoritarian CCP. Disappointing,” he stated.

Nicaragua also cut ties in 2021. Taiwan still has ties with Belize, Paraguay, and Guatemala in Latin America, and Vatican City. Most of its remaining partners are island nations in the Caribbean and South Pacific, along with Eswatini in southern Africa.

Meanwhile, the Federated States of Micronesia, following talks with Taiwan in February, said it is considering switching diplomatic ties to Taiwan from Beijing, with President David Panuelo decrying the CCP’s “political warfare.”

Despite the CCP’s campaign of isolation, Taiwan retains robust informal ties with more than 100 other countries, most importantly the United States. The United States maintains its own “One China” policy, which differs from the CCP’s view and does not recognize mainland sovereignty over Taiwan. The United States maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan.

–Wire services