China says U.S. arm-twisting Honduras presidential vote

A soldier keeps watch as workers prepare boxes with voting materials for distribution throughout the country ahead of the November 28 general election, November 23, 2021 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. REUTERS Fredy Rodriguez

BEIJING, Nov 25 Reuters -- China's Foreign Ministry accused the United States of arm-twisting after a U.S. delegation made clear Washington wants Honduras to maintain its long-standing diplomatic relations with Taiwan when it votes this weekend.

A U.S. official said on condition of anonymity that Washington warned Central American nations of the risks associated with China's approach to the region Xiomara Castro, the main opposition leftist candidate who leads in the polls for this month's presidential election, but has previously said that she would switch diplomatic relations to Beijing over Taiwan if victorious. One of her close aides said no final decision had been made on Tuesday.

Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that the United States would not win any friends if the United States told the Honduran candidates to keep relations with Taiwan.

He told reporters in Beijing that this arm-twisting and bullying behaviour will not win hearts and minds.

People in Central America should watch out for the United States' hegemonic behavior, according to Zhao, who pointed out the U.S. involvement over the years in coups and other plots.

Two hundred years later, the United States is still dreaming of the old dream and treating Latin American countries as within its sphere of influence. This bullying behaviour is abhorred by the Latin Americans and will surely fail. Honduras is one of 15 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with self-ruled Taiwan. China views Taiwan as its own territory, with no right to state-to-state ties, a view that the government in Taipei strongly rejects.

Taiwan's Foreign Ministry expressed its thanks to the United States for its support for ties between Taiwan and its allies, and reiterated that the government will respect the outcome of the Honduran election.

Taiwan has warned Honduras not to be taken seriously by China's flashy and false promises.

The two have a relationship dating back to 1941, before the Republic of China government fled to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war.

Washington is concerned about Beijing's growing international influence because of China's efforts.