The Government of China has applauded Wednesday the announcement of the President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, on the resumption of bilateral diplomatic relations and has shown Beijing’s desire to maintain »friendly and cooperative relations» with »all countries of the world».
»We applaud the announcement by Honduras,» said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, who added that »the fact that 181 countries in the world have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the ‘one China’ principle shows that establishing diplomatic relations with China is the right choice.»
Thus, he said at a press conference that this decision »is in line with the general trend in the development of the times», before reiterating that China is committed to relations with all countries »on the basis of the ‘one China’ principle»’, as reported by the Chinese news portal China News.
Hours earlier, Castro revealed that the country will officially resume bilateral relations with China, after relations between the two countries entered a phase of deterioration due to Tegucigalpa’s official recognition of Taiwan as an independent country. In response, Taipei has asked Honduras to »be careful not to fall into China’s trap and make a wrong decision that would damage the long friendship between Taiwan and Honduras».
»Honduras is an important friend of our country in Central America. Over the years, the two governments have jointly promoted numerous cooperation projects and exchanges for the benefit of the people, which have been well received by all sectors of Honduran society,» stressed the Taiwanese Foreign Ministry, which added that it will continue to strengthen its communication with the Castro government.
Subsequently, Taiwanese Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Yui summoned the Honduran ambassador to the island, Harold Burgos, to convey Taipei’s concern over Castro’s decision. After that, Burgos indicated that the Embassy is awaiting orders from the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry, according to the Taiwanese state news agency, CNA.
The severance of Honduras’ relations with Taiwan would reduce to thirteen the number of countries that recognize the island’s independence. Since 2007, four other Latin American countries have cut ties with Taipei to establish relations with China (Costa Rica, in 2007; Panama, in 2017; El Salvador, in 2018; and Nicaragua, in 2021).
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
