Honduras to Shift Ties From Taiwan to Beijing

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduras President Xiomara Castro introduced Tuesday that her authorities will search to ascertain diplomatic relations with China, which might indicate severing relations with Taiwan.

Castro stated on her Twitter account that she instructed Honduran Overseas Affairs Minister Eduardo Reina to start out negotiations with China and that her intention is “to broaden the borders with freedom.”

Honduras is likely one of the few remaining allies of Taiwan, and Castro’s announcement represents a change on its diplomatic views.

Taiwan’s official Central Information Company quoted an unidentified Overseas Ministry official as saying they had been “within the means of ascertaining the scenario” and had no additional particulars.

China claims self-ruled, democratic Taiwan is a part of its territory and sees diplomatic recognition of the island as interference in its affairs. Beijing has remoted Taiwan diplomatically with an extended marketing campaign in opposition to such recognition underneath the “one-China” coverage.

In January 2022, the overseas affairs minister informed The Related Press that Honduras would proceed strengthening ties with Taiwan and establishing a diplomatic relationship with China was not a precedence for Castro.

It’s not clear what made the federal government change its thoughts.

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