Honduras Establishes Formal Ties with China, Breaking Ties with Taiwan
Honduras has established formal ties with China, becoming the latest country to break ties with Taiwan. In March, the Central American nation opened an embassy in Beijing, and the two countries have pledged to establish a new model of “friendly cooperation” between countries with different sizes and systems. The symbol of the two sides’ strengthening diplomatic ties came during Honduran President Xiomara Castro’s six-day visit to China.
Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province, has been locked in a battle for diplomatic recognition with China since they split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing prohibits its own diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei, and Honduras’ decision to break off relations with Taiwan and form diplomatic ties with Beijing was a diplomatic victory for China amid heightened tensions between Beijing and the United States.
During her stay in Shanghai, President Castro visited the headquarters of the New Development Bank, a bank established by the BRICS nations, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Honduras requested admission to the bank, and the president also visited a research centre for technology giant Huawei before arriving in Beijing on Saturday night.
China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Honduran counterpart Enrique Reina took part in the inauguration of the embassy on Sunday morning, and Qin pledged that China would establish a new model of “friendly cooperation” between countries with different sizes and systems. Honduras still needs to determine the embassy’s permanent location and will increase its number of staff.
China’s Growing Influence in Latin America
Honduras’ decision to establish formal ties with China also signals China’s growing influence in Latin America. In recent years, China has been increasing its investment in the region, particularly in infrastructure projects. According to the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank, China has invested more than $141 billion in Latin America since 2005.
China’s investment in the region has been driven by its need for natural resources, such as oil and minerals, and its desire to expand its global influence. In return, China has offered loans and investments in infrastructure projects, such as ports, railways, and highways. These projects have been welcomed by many countries in the region, which have struggled to attract investment from traditional sources such as the United States and Europe.
China’s growing influence in Latin America has also raised concerns about the impact on the region’s political and economic stability. Some experts have warned that China’s investment could lead to a debt crisis in some countries, while others have raised concerns about China’s human rights record and its impact on local communities.
China’s Increasing Assertiveness Towards Taiwan
Honduras’ decision to break off relations with Taiwan and form diplomatic ties with Beijing also comes amid China’s increasing assertiveness towards self-ruled Taiwan. China has been ramping up military pressure on Taiwan, with regular incursions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone and military exercises near the island.
China has also been using its economic power to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, pressuring countries to break off relations with Taipei in favour of Beijing. In recent years, several countries have switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, including Panama, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador.
The United States has been a key ally of Taiwan, and the Biden administration has reaffirmed its commitment to the island’s security. The United States has also been increasing its military presence in the region, conducting regular freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea and providing military aid to Taiwan.
Conclusion
Honduras’ decision to establish formal ties with China and break off relations with Taiwan is a diplomatic victory for Beijing amid heightened tensions with the United States. It also signals China’s growing influence in Latin America, where it has been increasing its investment in infrastructure projects. However, China’s increasing assertiveness towards Taiwan has raised concerns about the impact on the region’s political and economic stability. The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to Taiwan’s security, and the situation remains a key flashpoint in the region.