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New Honduras leader says she hopes to maintain Taiwan relations, despite campaign hint at switching ties
- President-elect Xiomara Castro, after meeting Taiwan’s vice-president, says her country is grateful to Taipei and they ‘hope to maintain this relationship’
- China has stepped up efforts to win over Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies and openly said it aimed to reduce the number to zero
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Honduras is grateful for the support Taiwan has provided and hopes to maintain their relationship, president-elect Xiomara Castro said on Wednesday after meeting Taiwanese Vice-President William Lai Ching-te, who is in the country to shore up shaky ties.
Honduras is one of only 14 countries with formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing as its own territory. Castro floated the idea of ditching Taipei for Beijing in her election campaign.
Beijing has ramped up pressure to reduce Taiwan’s international footprint, saying the island is Chinese territory with no right to state-to-state ties.
In comments to Taiwanese media after meeting Lai, who is in Honduras for the presidential inauguration, Castro thanked Taiwan.
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“The people of Honduras are always grateful to the people of Taiwan for their support that they have always given us,” she said, in a video carried by Taiwan’s official Central News Agency. “We have worked together hand in hand for many years and hope to maintain this relationship.”
Lai had been expected to hold formal talks with Castro and deliver materials to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, but that was cancelled, the Central News Agency said, adding they met later for about seven minutes.
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Lai told Castro that Taiwan would increase its cooperation with Honduras and promote their friendship, the report added.
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