TAIPEI, Taiwan - Taiwan has recalled its ambassador to Honduras in response to the Central American country's efforts to establish formal diplomatic relations with China.
Taiwan and China have been at odds over diplomatic recognition since the two sides divided after a civil war in 1949. Honduras President Xiomara Castro declared last week that her administration will seek diplomatic relations with China, implying a break with Taiwan.
While Beijing invests billions to gain recognition for its "One China" policy, the transition would leave Taiwan recognized by only 13 nations.
Wang Wenbin, a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry, denied claims that Honduras cut ties with Taiwan after Taipei rebuffed demands to acquire $2.5 billion of the country's sovereign debt.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it expressed "serious dissatisfaction" with the breakup of relations that had lasted more than 80 years and encouraged Honduras to "be cautious of the hazards of China's obligations made on its offer of diplomatic relations."
Castro stated on Twitter that she has directed Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina to begin discussions with China, and that her objective is to "extend boundaries freely in cooperation with the nations of the globe."
Reina departed for China on Wednesday, heading a team that comprised MPs Xiomara Hortencia Zelaya Castro and Carlos Zelaya Rosales, the House secretary—the president's daughter and son-in-law.
The Honduran ministry acknowledged the travel without elaborating on its purpose, although it coincided with Taiwan's decision to remove its ambassador.
With the loss of Honduras, Taiwan would have official diplomatic links with only 13 sovereign states, including Vatican City. It also has links with Belize, Guatemala, and Paraguay in Latin America, with the majority of its remaining allies being Caribbean and South Pacific island states, as well as Eswatini in southern Africa.
Notwithstanding the Chinese regime's isolationist drive, Taiwan maintains strong informal relations with over 100 other nations, most notably the United States.
