25th March 2023 – (Taipei) The de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei has warned that China often fails to fulfil its promises in exchange for recognition as Honduras ends its long-standing ties with Taiwan in favour of China. This week, the Honduran foreign minister travelled to China to forge ties after President Xiomara Castro’s announcement to do so. Taiwan is recognised by only 14 countries, with China viewing it as one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state ties. The United States is concerned about China’s growing influence in Central America, which was once a steadfast base for Taiwan.
The American Institute in Taiwan stated that Honduras’ decision to sever ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing was a sovereign decision. However, the US embassy warned of China’s past behaviour when making promises in exchange for diplomatic recognition. China has been accused of not following through on promises, as it did with Panama in 2017. Regardless of Honduras’ decision, the US will continue to deepen and expand its engagement with Taiwan in line with its longstanding one China policy.