After the civil war in 1949, the Communist Party ruled China and the Nationalists fled to Taiwan. While now-democratic Taiwan maintains its borders, military and government, Beijing cites the disputed 1992 framework “One China,” negotiated with the previous Taiwanese administration to claim the island.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen is expected to visit Stop Wednesday in the United States – which acknowledges but does not support China’s claim to Taiwan – on its way to Central America, in a trip that could stoke tensions with Beijing.
Here’s what else to know about Honduras’ exit Taiwan’s diplomatic status.
Why did Honduras break off relations with Taiwan?
Honduras’ relations with Taiwan, which date back to the 1940s, were initially centered on Cold War-era antipathy to communism. It increased trade relations after their economic liberalization Security and Development Policy Institute Stating that Taiwan gave development aid to Honduras and received diplomatic support in return.
Honduras’ decision to cut ties with Taiwan comes after weeks of diplomatic talks Back and forth on Honduras’ growing debt problems, Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina said this month that the country was “up to its neck” in debt, including $600 million owed to Taiwan.
Honduras sought $2.5 billion in aid from Taiwan before the Central American nation announced it would seek open relations with China. reuters,
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu accused Honduras of demanding an exorbitant amount, saying that Honduras’ request “took to bribery.” Tsai echoed these frustrations, saying that her country “Dollar diplomacy’s futile fight with China.,
The defeat of Honduras leaves Taiwan with 13 diplomatic allies. Who are they?
Taiwan’s allies are concentrated in Latin America and the Caribbean. Tsai will visit Guatemala and Belize, two of the most prominent on her upcoming trip.
Guatemala Taipei is a vocal supporter and reliable economic partner following a free-trade agreement in effect since 2007. Taiwan has Investment Millions of dollars in manufacturing, agriculture and technical businesses in Guatemala. As it became clear that Honduras was aligning with China, Guatemala’s foreign ministry said in a statement That it recognizes Taiwan as an independent nation with which it has excellent diplomatic relations and deep friendship.
BelizeThe U.S. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said in a tweet this month that it recognizes Taiwan as a “Sovereign and Free Nation” And will work to strengthen bilateral relations.
paraguaygovernment of said on twitter Reiterating its cooperation that it shares democratic values with Taiwan.
Other partners in the region include Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, And Saint Lucia.
The rest of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies are in the Pacific – including Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau And tuvalu – as well as ewastini in Africa and the Holy See (Vatican City) in Europe.
Which other countries have recently severed ties with Taiwan?
Honduras has become the ninth country to break ties with Taipei since Tsai took power in 2016.
in Africa, the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe cut ties with Taiwan in 2016, a decision researcher David Ann labeled “shocking, He noted in a brief for the US-based Global Taiwan Institute that the break involved a “complex mix of diplomacy, politics, economics and even personal relationships among the elite”. In 2018, Burkina Faso followed suit, with its foreign ministry citing socioeconomic challenges.
in the Caribbean, Dominican Republic Broke relations in 2018. It said it would recognize Taiwan as part of Chinese territory associated Press The report quoted the President’s office as saying that the change was due to its “needs, potential and future prospects”.
in Central America, panama transferred its diplomatic ties to China in 2017, a move its president called “right way” for the country. He said that China is the second largest user of the Panama Canal.
El Salvador Closed its door on Taiwan in 2018. At that time Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry accused China of conducting “Dollar Diplomacy”.
Nicaragua Break ties with Taiwan for the second time in 2021 A period of deteriorating relations with the United States, which imposed sanctions on a national security adviser to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. It had previously severed ties in 1985, resuming them in 1990.
In Oceania, the government of solomon islands voted in 2019 to sever diplomatic relations with Beijing. A few days later, Taiwan lost support Kiribati, Where China promised billions of dollars in aid associated Press informed of.
Meghan Tobin contributed to this report.