Honduras’ Foreign Minister (FM) Eduardo Reina said that the country’s economic needs and Taiwan’s refusal to double its financial aid had pushed the Latin American country to switch official diplomatic ties to China.
Economic Necessity
Speaking to the Canal 5 television channel on Wednesday, Reina said that Honduras was forced to prioritise “more important relations” due to “the great needs of the Honduran people.”
“We have to look at things very pragmatically and seek the best benefit for the Honduran people,” Reina told another local TV channel on Tuesday.
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the region; almost 74% of the country’s 10 million population lives below the poverty line.
The Honduran FM said that his country had asked Taiwan to double its annual $50 million aid, as well as consider “realigning” its $600 million debt to the island. However, the self-governing island nation did not respond positively to the request.
The move comes after Honduras President Xiomara Castro said on Tuesday that she had instructed the FM to begin the process of establishing official relations with China.
Honduras has switched to recognizing the PRC. There’s now only 12 countries that recognize Taiwan. This change will allow Honduras to access a vast economic trade network and expand its diplomatic relations https://t.co/r1S14qgrtR
— LogKa (@LogKa11) March 15, 2023
Ties with Taiwan
Honduras and Taiwan had enjoyed diplomatic ties for more than eight decades.
However, under the Chinese government’s “One China” policy, a country cannot maintain official ties with both China and Taiwan. Therefore, the move will result in the severing of ties between Taiwan and Honduras.
Currently, the Latin American country is among the 14 countries that officially maintain relations with Taiwan, which China considers to be part of its territory to be reunified by force, if necessary.
Other Taiwan allies include Eswatini, Belize, Guatemala, Paraguay, and the Marshall Islands.
Chinese Response
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during his regular press conference on Wednesday that China welcomed the decision.
“The fact that 181 countries have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the One China principle” showed that “establishing diplomatic ties with China is the right choice,” said Wang.
He concluded that China is willing “to grow friendly and cooperative relations with all countries, including Honduras, on the basis of the One China principle.”