Honduras opens ties with China after breaking from Taiwan

Ryan King

March 26, 12:31 PM March 26, 12:31 PM

Honduras moved to open diplomatic ties with China Sunday after breaking away from Taiwan, leaving the island recognized by only 12 nations and Vatican City.

Coinciding with its joint communique with China, Honduras's foreign ministry affirmed publicly that Taiwan is an "inseparable part of Chinese territory," ushering in an end to its formal relations with the island that dated back to the 1940s. The move marks a significant diplomatic victory for China.

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“Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and as of today, the Honduran government has informed Taiwan of the severance of diplomatic relations, pledging not to have any official relationship or contact with Taiwan," the foreign ministry said, per a translation.

President Xiomara Castro foreshadowed the move during a trip to China when she said Honduras would move to establish ties with Beijing. Both China and Taiwan have been embroiled in a battle over whether the island is under China's control or an independent nation-state. China demands that other countries adhere to the "One China" policy in order to have relations.

"With deep regret, we announce the termination of diplomatic relations with Honduras. 82 years of friendship & cooperation bringing real benefit to the peoples were dismissed by the Castro government. Taiwan remains unbowed & continues to work as a force for good in the world," Taiwan's Foreign Ministry tweeted.

Castro mused about pivoting toward China in 2021, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu recounted in a press conference. Honduras requested billions in aid from Taiwan while pointing to the torrent of aid China pitched, per Wu. This included the pursuit of $2.45 billion for the construction of a dam, building a hospital, and paying off debt.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen vowed that her government would not “engage in a meaningless contest of dollar diplomacy with China” in order to preserve international friendships.

Tsai is set to embark on a trip to the U.S., Guatemala, and Belize this week. During her trip, she is expected to meet with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) in Los Angeles and possibly other lawmakers as well.

Although the United States does not formally recognize Taiwan, Washington maintains unofficial relations with Taipei City. U.S. officials have fretted that China will eventually seek to reestablish control over Taiwan via force and have talked about the prospect of providing military aid to subvert such aggression.

China to ramp up military spending by 7.2%, eclipsing rate of economic growth

Ryan King

March 05, 05:07 PM March 05, 05:07 PM

China is planning to surge its defense budget by 7.2%, a higher rate of expansion than its "around 5%" economic growth objective for 2023.

In its national budget unveiled Sunday, China allocated 1.55 trillion yuan ($224 billion) to its military, as geopolitical tensions with the west over the status of Taiwan and the South China Sea loom, the reported. For comparison, the U.S. has authorized roughly $858 billion for the fiscal year of 2023.

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“Our armed forces, with a focus on the goals for the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army in 2027, should work to carry out military operations, boost combat preparedness and enhance military capabilities,” Premier Li Keqiang said, per the report.

China's bolstered military budget marks the second year in a row where its hike eclipses 7%, having been expanded 7.1% last year. Officials in Beijing have sought to narrow the gap with the U.S., which still spends almost four times as much on its defense. Beijing has control over the largest navy in the world by size.

No breakdown of how the military spending will be allocated was provided. China's economy has sputtered over recent months amid its string of COVID-19 suppression measures and an apparent bubble in its financial system.

Since relaxing its pandemic rules, Beijing has been optimistic it can get its economy humming again.

Last year, China's gross domestic product grew by a meager 3%, below the official "around 5.5%" target.

Both the economic growth projection and defense budget figures were released for the annual gathering of the National People’s Congress. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who clinched a third term last year, is slated to formally enter that third term during the congress, CNN reported.