HONDURAS IS CHINA’S NEW ALLY AS IT CUTS DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH TAIWAN
The Central American country of Honduras snapped its decades-old ties with Taiwan on Sunday and formalised diplomatic relations with Beijing, saying it “recognises the existence of only one China in the world”, leaving the self-ruled island with only 13 formal allies.
The latest diplomatic blow to Taiwan comes in the backdrop of rising cross-Strait tension with the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) having held large military drills around it last year and earlier this year and its air force frequently buzzing the island with fighter jets and bombers.
China and Honduras “decided to recognise each other and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, effective from the date of signature of this communique,” a joint statement issued here by the two countries said.
Chinese state councillor and foreign minister Qin Gang and his Honduran counterpart Eduardo Enrique Reina signed the joint communique at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on Sunday, raising champagne glasses for a toast after releasing the statement.
The Honduras government recognises the “...existence of only one China in the world and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China”, the country’s foreign ministry said.
It added that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and as of today, the Honduran government has informed Taiwan of the severance of diplomatic relations, pledging not to have any official relationship or contact with Taiwan”.
“…Honduras chooses to stand with 181 countries in the world, recognise and undertake to adhere to the one-China principle, sever the so-called “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.
Lula cancels China trip
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has cancelled his trip to China after contracting pneumonia, the presidential palace said on Saturday.
Lula, 77, was admitted to a hospital in the capital of Brasilia with flu-like symptoms and was diagnosed with “bacterial and viral bronchopneumonia due to influenza A,” the palace said in a statement, quoting a medical note signed by Dr Ana Helena Germoglio.
Lula’s health was reassessed on Saturday and, despite improvement, he was advised to “postpone the trip to China until the cycle of viral transmission ends”, the medical note said.