Nation cuts ties with Taiwan, says island is 'part of Chinese territory'

Honduras has lower diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the Latin American nation introduced Saturday, saying it recognises “only one China in the world.”

The announcement by Honduras’s international ministry posted on Twitter, and likewise reported by China’s CCTV, comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and the US, together with over China’s growing assertiveness towards self-ruled Taiwan.

The transfer leaves Taiwan recognised by solely 13 sovereign states.

In this file picture offered by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-te, left, presents an help bundle, together with oxygen concentrators, throughout a gathering with Honduran President Xiomara Castro in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in January 2022. Honduras has now lower ties with Taiwan. (AP)

“The government of the Republic of Honduras 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 ministry assertion stated.

It added that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and as of today, the Honduran government has informed Taiwan the severance of diplomatic relations, pledging not to have any official relationship or contact with Taiwan.”

Honduras is the ninth diplomatic ally that Taipei has misplaced to Beijing since pro-independence President Tsai Ing-wen first took workplace in May 2016.

China and Taiwan have been locked in a battle for diplomatic recognition for the reason that sides cut up amid civil struggle in 1949, with Beijing spending billions to win recognition for its “One China” coverage.

FILE - New recruits practice thrusting with their bayonets at a military training center in Hsinchu County, northern Taiwan on April 22, 2013. Taiwan will extend its compulsory military service from four months to a year starting in 2024, President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, as the self-ruled island faces China's military, diplomatic and trade pressure. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying, File) — New recruits follow thrusting with their bayonets at a navy coaching heart in northern Taiwan. (AP)

China claims Taiwan is a part of its territory, to be introduced below its management by power if essential, and refuses most contacts with international locations that preserve formal ties with the island democracy. It threatens retaliation towards international locations merely for growing contacts.

Taiwan nonetheless has ties with Belize, Paraguay and Guatemala in Latin America, and Vatican City.

Most of its remaining companions are island nations within the Caribbean and South Pacific, together with Eswatini in southern Africa.

Despite China’s marketing campaign of isolation, Taiwan retains sturdy casual ties with greater than 100 different international locations, most significantly the US.

The US does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan however has maintained that Taipei is a crucial associate within the Indo-Pacific.

Sign up right here to obtain our each day newsletters and breaking news alerts, despatched straight to your inbox.