Honduras Establishes Diplomatic Ties With Beijing, Abandoning Taiwan

TAIPEI—Honduras has established diplomatic relations with China and formally cut ties with Taiwan, following through on a pledge this month to shift its official recognition to Beijing.

With the loss of Honduras, Taiwan now has 13 diplomatic partners, most of them small states in Central America and the Pacific, with the Vatican its only official partner in Europe. 

The Honduran Foreign Ministry said Sunday that it recognized that there is only one China, with Beijing the sole legitimate government representing it. “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and as of this date, the Honduran Government has informed Taiwan about the severance of diplomatic relations, pledging not to have any official relationship or contact with Taiwan again,” the statement read.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang announced that the country had established formal ties with Honduras. Mr. Qin met with his Honduran counterpart and signed a joint declaration on Sunday, according to Beijing state broadcaster China Central Television.