Taiwan warns Honduras of ‘false’ incentives to switch allegiance to Beijing
- Taipei slams ‘ploys to sabotage Taiwan’s diplomatic relations’ after Honduran presidential candidate hints at switch
- Honduras is one of 15 countries that have formal relations with Taiwan
Honduran presidential candidate Xiomara Castro earlier said she would “immediately open diplomatic and commercial relations with mainland China” if she were to win elections in November.
Castro, the wife of ousted former president Manuel Zelaya, is the candidate for the main left-wing opposition Liberty and Refoundation Party.
Honduras is among only 15 countries that maintain formal relations with Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if needed.
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Why has the relationship between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan taken a turn for the worse?
“Our side reminds Honduras that promises by the Chinese government are usually flashy and false, and they are consistent ploys to sabotage Taiwan’s diplomatic relations with our allies,” Taipei’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation in Honduras and vowed to continue to strengthen their 80-year-old bilateral ties.