TAIPEI (Portal) – China often makes promises in exchange for recognition that go unfulfilled, the de facto US embassy in Taipei said on Saturday, while Honduras is ending its long-standing ties with Taiwan in favor of China.
The Honduran foreign minister traveled to China this week to establish ties after President Xiomara Castro said her government would seek to forge ties with Beijing as Honduras is one of only 14 countries to officially recognize Taiwan.
At stake is China’s growing footprint in Central America, which was once a steadfast base for Taiwan and where the United States worries about Beijing’s growing influence in its backyard.
China regards Taiwan as one of its provinces with no right to interstate relations, a view strongly contested by the democratically elected government in Taipei.
The American Institute in Taiwan said that while Honduras’ possible severing of ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing is a sovereign decision, China does not always deliver on its promises.
“It is important to note that in exchange for diplomatic recognition, the PRC often makes promises that are ultimately not fulfilled,” a spokesman said, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
“Regardless of Honduras’ decision, the United States will continue to deepen and expand our engagement with Taiwan in line with our long-standing one-China policy,” the spokesman added.
Taiwan is a reliable, like-minded, and democratic partner, and its global partnerships offer “significant and lasting benefits to the citizens of these countries.”
“We strongly encourage all countries to expand engagement with Taiwan and continue to stand on the side of democracy, good governance, transparency and respect for the rule of law.”
China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but previously said its ties with Taiwan’s former diplomatic allies have brought them real benefits.
The story goes on
Members of Taipei’s Honduran community gathered at National Taiwan University on Saturday to express their gratitude for what they saw as a non-political event.
“We are so grateful for the opportunities Taiwan has given us,” said Billy Parebes, 27, who first came as a student.
“Taiwan provided us with education, they provided so many projects that developed our country, such as renewable energy, agriculture.”
The Honduran drama comes ahead of a high-profile visit by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to the United States and Central America next week. Tsai is expected to meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles at the end of the trip.
The United States also has no official relationship with Taiwan, but is the island’s main international supporter and arms supplier.
Neither China nor Honduras have announced that they have established diplomatic relations.
Diplomatic sources in Taipei say this is a departure from the previous practice, where an announcement of severing ties with Taiwan in favor of China is usually made very quickly, with Taipei perhaps only being notified a few hours in advance.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Laurie Chen in Beijing; Editing by Robert Birsel and Michael Perry)