China and Honduras have established diplomatic relations, according to China Central Television.
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“China and Honduras established diplomatic relations on March 26,” the TV report said.
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On Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Honduras Foreign Minister Enrique Reina held talks in Beijing, after which the parties signed a “Joint Communiqué on Establishing Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras.”
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The communique, in particular, states that the governments of the two countries agreed to develop friendly bilateral relations based on the principles of respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, non-aggression and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.
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It is indicated that Honduras recognizes the existence of only one China in the world, as well as the fact that Taiwan is its integral part. In addition, Honduras promised not to carry out any official exchanges with Taiwan.
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Earlier Sunday, the Honduras Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it was severing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The statement noted that Honduras recognizes the existence of only one China in the world and that the PRC is the only legitimate government. Later, the island’s Foreign Ministry announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Honduras and the closure of the embassy there.
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Thus, Taiwan has 13 diplomatic allies left: Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Eswatini, Tuvalu and the Vatican. Taipei maintains ties with other states through its “economic and cultural representations.”
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Previously, there were more countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but in recent years, many have decided to break them by establishing official relations with China, including El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Burkina Faso, Panama, the Pacific state of Kiribati, the Solomon Islands, Nicaragua.
