ISLAMABAD/TEGUCIGALPA: Taiwan will likely lose one of its formal and close partners, Honduras, as the Central American nation seeks diplomatic relations with China.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro said the pivot goal was to expand foreign engagements.
Taiwan immediately cautioned Honduras against falling into China’s “trap”, according to the BBC.
China long tried to isolate Taiwan and prohibit its allies from keeping relations with the island, which it claims a part of its territory.
Honduras seeks diplomatic ties with China
Should Honduras switch sides to China, Taiwan would be recognised by just 13 global governments. It will also widen Beijing’s foothold in the region that has historically sided with Chinese rival, Washington.
China has sought to expand its global influence as its leader, President Xi Jinping, consolidates power back home while reviving the economy from the staining zero-Covid policy.
Taiwan had lost seven diplomatic allies since 2016 when Tsai Ing-wen was elected as president.
Castro, who assumed charge of office in 2021, said she had instructed her foreign minister to pursue official ties with China, fulfilling one of her campaign pledges.
The Honduran president didn’t specifically say if ties with Taiwan would be cut. In January 2022, Castro said she hoped to keep those ties.
Weeks before Castro’s announcement, her government said it was negotiating with China to build a hydroelectric dam. Beijing lent Honduras $300m for a similar project in 2021.
The island’s foreign ministry said, “We ask Honduras to carefully consider and don’t fall into China’s trap and make the wrong decision to damage the long-term friendship between Taiwan and Honduras,” in a statement.
Castro’s move comes ahead of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s planned trip to its Central American allies with a stopover in the United States (US) next month a move that will likely increase friction between US and China.
