Honduras switches diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, highlighting growing tensions

Honduras has announced that it is officially breaking ties with Taiwan and establishing formal relations with China, becoming the latest country to switch its diplomatic recognition. This decision has left Taiwan with only 12 countries besides the Vatican, recognising its sovereignty. This move towards China was formally announced in a joint communique signed by Honduras and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi.

H1: Honduras’ decision

The Honduran Foreign Ministry, in a statement announcing this move, stated that “The Government of Honduras recognises that within the framework of its One-China policy, The People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate representative of China to the international community.” The statement added that Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

Reasons for Honduras’ switch

The decision follows years of negotiations with China on building a hydroelectric dam in Honduras. There had been reported claims of demands by Honduras for billions of dollars in development aid. The United States has been developing assistance projects with Central American countries like Honduras, but these have failed to attract interest from Honduran authorities.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said there were no conditions attached to Honduras’ decision to end diplomatic ties with Taiwan. On the other hand, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen dismissed Honduras’ move as part of Beijing’s coercion and intimidation.

China’s strategy

China uses inducements including financial aid and investment, as well as coercive suggestions to convince countries to switch their diplomatic ties. However, China denied it was engaging in “dollar diplomacy” in convincing countries like Honduras.

China claimed that switching diplomatic ties is a historical trend that cannot be stopped by anyone or any force. Several Latin American countries, which were previously among Taiwan’s diplomatic partners, have switched their recognition to Beijing after being offered investment and aid deals.

Taiwan’s response

Taiwan’s foreign minister suggested that Taiwan was open to “dual recognition,” which would mean taking no issue with governments which wanted to recognise both countries. Taiwan accused China of using “any and all means to suppress Taiwan’s international participation, intensify its military intimidations against Taiwan, and disrupt regional peace and stability.”

Taiwanese officials are recalling staff from its Honduran embassy and consulate and have demanded that Honduras immediately closes its Taipei embassy. The story was widely covered by Taiwanese media and was seized upon by the opposition to criticise the government’s foreign policy platform.

Tensions across the Taiwan Strait

The status quo has generally served both sides well, preserving peace against tall odds. But the switch by Honduras, and Taiwan’s concerns about its shrinking international space, point to the growing stress on the current status quo across the Taiwan Strait.

In Taipei’s view, Beijing has exerted growing diplomatic pressure to isolate Taiwan as well as stepped up military muscle-flexing. In Beijing’s view, the ruling DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) in Taipei, with the support of Washington, bears responsibility for the tensions by pursuing de facto independence.

Beijing continues to refuse to rule out the use of force for what it calls reunification, should Washington or Taipei cross what it sees as a red line.

Conclusion

China’s continuing diplomatic efforts have had significant effects on Taiwan’s dwindling number of official partners worldwide. The latest switch from Honduras highlights how deeply ingrained China has become as a diplomatic force globally. Overall, this trend poses a major challenge for Taiwan’s foreign policy choices moving forward.

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