Editorial | Taiwan feels pain as one-China principle claims another ally
- Defection of Honduras further extends Beijing’s influence in American backyard and comes ahead of expected controversial talks between Tsai Ing-wen and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the US
There may be a more prized goal yet in Beijing’s quest to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, such as getting the Vatican to switch diplomatic relations to mainland China.
There may have been more strategic ones in the recent past, such as Panama, given that Chinese shipping is the second largest user of its canal linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
But the announcement of formal ties with Honduras significantly extends Beijing’s influence in the US backyard of Central America, following the defections of Nicaragua and El Salvador also from the Taiwanese camp.
Honduras maintains close economic relations with the United States as well as a law-enforcement partnership on drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
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Honduras establishes diplomatic relations with Beijing after cutting ties with Taiwan
It is the ninth diplomatic partner to drop Taipei since Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, became president in 2016. Her failure to recognise the one-China principle prompted Beijing to launch an intensified drive to isolate the self-ruled island.
Taiwan is left with ties to just 13 nations, while 182 now have links with Beijing founded on the one-China principle.
