Honduras president says govt to seek official relations with China

Honduras President Xiomara Castro said on Tuesday she had instructed the country's foreign minister to bring about the opening of official relations with China. Castro made the statement on Twitter. Less than 20 countries have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Taiwan's foreign ministry said it was "in the process of understanding" the situation, without giving further details.

Honduras President Xiomara Castro said on Tuesday she had instructed the country's foreign minister to bring about the opening of official relations with China.

Castro made the statement on Twitter. The leader of the Central American country had floated the idea of cutting ties with Taiwan and start relations with China during her electoral campaign, but said in January 2022 she hoped to maintain ties with Taiwan.

China has intensified pressure to reduce Taiwan's international footprint, saying the democratically governed island is Chinese territory with no right to state-to-state ties. Less than 20 countries have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said it was "in the process of understanding" the situation, without giving further details.