Move FM Global News

BEIJING China: According to Chinese state media, Honduras officially opened its embassy in Beijing on Sunday, several months after severing ties with Taiwan, in exchange for establishing diplomatic relations with China.

The inauguration ceremony at the embassy was attended by China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Honduran counterpart Enrique Reina, as reported by China’s official CCTV. The report mentioned that Honduras has yet to determine the permanent location of the embassy and plans to expand its staff.

During the event, Qin pledged that China would establish a new model of “friendly cooperation” between the countries of different sizes and systems, as stated by China’s Foreign Ministry.

The strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two countries coincided with the six-day visit of Honduran President Xiomara Castro to China.

In March, Honduras officially established formal relations with China, joining a growing list of countries that have cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be reunified, even through force, and prohibits its allies from maintaining diplomatic relations with Taipei.

Taiwan also faces increasing military threats from Beijing. On the weekend, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported that 10 Chinese warplanes had crossed the unofficial median line of the Taiwan Strait, a boundary that was tacitly acknowledged by both sides. In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft, naval vessels, and land-based missile systems.

President Castro arrived in Shanghai on June 11 for her first visit to China since the establishment of diplomatic relations. During her stay in Shanghai, she visited the headquarters of the New Development Bank, which was established by the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

Meanwhile, Castro’s office tweeted that Honduras has requested admission to the bank.

The president also visited a research center operated by technology giant Huawei before arriving in Beijing, as reported by China’s official Global Times newspaper.

The establishment of diplomatic ties between Honduras and China in March was seen as a diplomatic victory for China, particularly amid escalating tensions between Beijing and the United States, including China’s growing assertiveness towards Taiwan.

This development also highlights China’s increasing influence in Latin America.
China and Taiwan have been locked in a battle for diplomatic recognition since their separation during the civil war in 1949, with Beijing making significant efforts and investments to secure recognition for its “one China” policy.