Honduras breaks ties with Taiwan, closer to China

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Honduras breaks ties with Taiwan, closer to China

TEGUCIGALPA: Honduras said on Saturday it was ending its decades-long diplomatic relations with Taiwan, bringing it closer to China as it expands its footprint in Central America.

The Honduran foreign ministry said in a post on Twitter that the government of Honduras recognizes the existence of just one China.

The government of China is the only legitimate government in the world that represents all of China. The ministry said Honduras had notified Taiwan of its decision to break ties, and that it would not return to any relationship or official contact with Taiwan.

On Sunday, Taiwan's foreign minister Joseph Wu was expected to hold a news conference at 1.30 am GMT in Taipei.

According to a witness, the flag of Honduras was removed from Taiwan's foreign ministry shortly after the announcement.

The Honduran foreign minister travelled to China this week to open relations after President Xiomara Castro said her government would start ties with Beijing, Honduras one of only 14 countries to recognize Taiwan.

The democratically elected government in Taipei strongly disagrees with Taiwan as one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state ties.

On Saturday, the decision by Honduras to cut ties prompted warnings from the US embassy in Taipei that China often makes promises in exchange for recognition that remain unfulfilled.

After a recent meeting with US officials, the Honduran foreign minister said the US respects Honduras decision to establish formal diplomatic ties with China.