Taiwan is open to restoring diplomatic ties with Honduras if either of the two candidates leading the Central American nation’s presidential race wins and follows through on promises to formally re-establish bilateral relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.
National Party candidate Nasry Asfura and Liberal Party candidate Salvador Nasralla have previously expressed their wish to restore diplomatic ties with Taiwan if elected.
Honduran President Xiomara Castro of the ruling Liberty and Refoundation Party switched diplomatic recognition to China in 2023.
Photo: CNA
In Taipei, when asked if Taiwan would consider restoring ties with Honduras, MOFA spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said that the ministry maintains “an open attitude” and would “set no preconditions” to engaging in friendly exchanges with Honduras.
“We take every opportunity for exchanges seriously as long as doing so can expand Taiwan’s international status and help Taiwan better contribute to the international community,” Hsiao said at the ministry’s weekly briefing.
After Honduras switched recognition to China, it was not only denied the benefits China promised, but also suffered economically, including a dramatic decline in its whiteleg shrimp farming industry, which led to mass unemployment, as well as a serious trade imbalance, Hsiao said.
“That once again proves that China is never able to fulfill a promise in good faith,” he said. “It also reveals China’s malicious intent, its constant suppression of Taiwan’s international space, and its unwillingness to assist other countries in their economic and other aspects of development.”
In other news, Taiwan yesterday congratulated Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and his ruling Labour Party on securing a majority in Monday’s general election, putting Pierre on course for another term in office.
Ambassador to Saint Lucia Nicole Su (蘇瑩君) promptly congratulated Pierre and the newly elected lawmakers on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, the ministry said.
Praising Saint Lucia for holding an “open, transparent and peaceful” election, the ministry said that Taiwan looks forward to continuing to work closely with Pierre’s government to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.
Saint Lucia is one of 12 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Additional reporting by Lee I-chia
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