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China and Honduras established diplomatic relations on Sunday, a setback for Taiwan, which is still losing an ally and denounces Beijing’s “coercion and intimidation”. Taipei is now only recognized by 13 states in the world. “The two governments have decided to recognize each other and establish diplomatic relations”, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. For him, “it is a wise choice, in line with the current trend».
At a ceremony in Beijing on Sunday, Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina signed a document acknowledging the establishment of diplomatic relations with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang, in front of a row of flags from the two countries.
China considers the island of Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, to be one of its provinces, which it has yet to manage to reunify with the rest of its territory since the end of the civil war. Chinese. Completed in 1949, the conflict pitted the Communists (who eventually took power in mainland China) against the Nationalist army (forced to retreat to the island).
On behalf of “one China principle”, Beijing does not allow foreign countries to have diplomatic relations simultaneously with it and with Taipei. The island, however, has unofficial partnerships with many nations. The head of diplomacy of Honduras, Enrique Reina had invoked March 15 “great needs” of Honduras in economic matters and the refusal of Taiwan to increase its aid to justify the desire to establish relations with Beijing.
“The severance of diplomatic relations between our country and Honduras is part of a series of coercion and intimidation by China”the office of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said on Sunday. “China has been reducing (Taiwan’s) place on the international stage for a long time, unilaterally endangering regional peace and stability.” Among the states that still have diplomatic relations with Taiwan are the Vatican, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Paraguay, Pacific island nations and Haiti.
