Honduras has cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the Latin American country announced on Saturday, saying it recognizes only one China in the world. Honduras is the ninth diplomatic ally that Taipei has lost to Beijing since pro-independence president Tsai Ing-wen took office in May 2016. Taiwan is recognised by only 13 sovereign states, as a result of the move.
The government of the Republic of Honduras recognises the existence of only one China in the world and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China, the ministry statement said.
It stated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the Honduran government has informed Taiwan of its severance of diplomatic relations, pledging not to have any official relationship or contact with Taiwan. The foreign ministry of Honduras came amid rising tensions between Beijing and the United States, including over China's increasing assertiveness toward self-ruled Taiwan.
Since the sides split in 1949, China and Taiwan have been locked in a battle for diplomatic recognition, with Beijing spending billions to win recognition for its One China policy.
China claims Taiwan is part of its territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary, and refuses most of its contacts with countries that maintain formal ties with the island democracy. It threatens to retaliation against countries that have grown closer to each other.
Taiwan has ties with Guatemala, Guatemala, and Belize in Latin America. Most of its remaining partners are island nations in the Caribbean Sea and South Pacific, along with Eswatini in southern Africa.
Despite China s campaign of isolation, Taiwan has strong informal ties with more than 100 other countries, most importantly the US. The US doesn't have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but has maintained that Taipei is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific.