Tip Sheets
Honduras cutting ties with Taiwan shows China’s growing influence in Central America
March 15, 2023
Media Contact
Adam Allington
The Honduran government announced Tuesday a move to establish diplomatic relations with China, thereby severing relations with Taiwan. The switch would leave Taiwan recognized by only 13 countries.
Kenneth Roberts
Professor of Government
Kenneth Roberts is a professor of comparative and Latin American politics at Cornell University.
Roberts says:
"Honduran President Xiomara Castro is opening negotiations with China to establish formal diplomatic relations, thus abandoning the country's traditional recognition of Taiwan. Honduras, therefore, will likely join most of its neighboring Central American countries in establishing relations with China.
“Although Central America has historically been located within the U.S. sphere of influence, in recent decades China has emerged as an increasingly important economic power in the region with extensive trade and investment relations."
