Relations between Taiwan and Honduras are developing normally and cooperation projects are proceeding according to plan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Ko (柯森耀) said yesterday.
Ko was responding to questions on the status of diplomatic relations with Honduras after reports in Chinese-language media on Sunday said that ties are being hurt by Tegucigalpa’s tilt toward Beijing.
Ko said Taiwan has told the Honduran government that it hopes a new ambassador would be appointed.
Honduran Ambassador Mario Alberto Fortin Midence was recalled earlier this year and the nation has yet to send a replacement.
The Honduran embassy’s minister plenipotentiary, Alejandro Young Portillo, has been performing ambassadorial duties since Midence’s departure, Florencia Hsie (謝妙宏), deputy director-general of the ministry’s Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, said on Sunday.
The Chinese-language United Evening News reported on Sunday that Honduras has decided to develop relations with Beijing after Taipei refused to meet its request for financial assistance and that it plans to set up a trade office in China this year.
Ko said the government has been following the development of Honduras’ relations with China.
Stressing that cooperative projects are continuing, Ko said Taipei hopes to continue strengthening its relationships with its allies.
There have been growing concerns since late last year that Honduras would switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing after first opening a trade office in the Chinese capital.
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