Honduras to switch ties from Taiwan to China, says president

Honduras President Xiomara Castro says she has instructed her foreign minister to bring about the opening of official relations with China, a move that would end its ties with Taiwan.

Castro made the statement on Twitter on Tuesday. The leader of the Central American country had floated the idea of cutting ties with Taiwan and starting relations with China during her electoral campaign, but said in January 2022 that she hoped to maintain ties with Taiwan.

Castro said in the tweet the decision was “a sign of my determination to fulfil the government plan and expand borders”.

China has intensified pressure to reduce Taiwan’s international footprint, saying the democratically governed island is Chinese territory with no right to state-to-state ties.

Honduras’ foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the announcement.

China does not allow countries with which it has diplomatic relations to maintain official ties with Taiwan. If Honduras breaks off its relations with Taiwan, it would leave it with formal diplomatic ties with only 13 countries.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it was “in the process of understanding” the situation, without giving further details.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.