China Spreads Its Soft Power To Honduras
China demonstrates its soft power by brokering the Saudi Arabia-Iran deal, luring Honduras away from Taiwan, and encouraging the Solomon Islands to open.
One more country, Honduras, has shifted allegiance to China. While Beijing was at pains to explain that it was a non-conditional “diplomatic deal,” Tegucigalpa broke off its relations with Taiwan, proving that some conditions had to be met.
While the Chinese foreign ministry described the move as “the right choice” for the second poorest country in Central America, it appears to be a pragmatic economic decision.
It had been reported that Honduras had requested a loan of $2.5bn from Taiwan to construct a hydro project, a hospital and to repay debts. Though Tegucigalpa denies such a request was made, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister is on record saying that the former ally had demanded “a high price” to maintain diplomatic relations.
Taiwan is finding itself increasingly isolated by China’s intensified diplomatic overtures. Nine countries have broken off relations with the island’s administration since Tsai Ing-wen became the island’s president in 2016. Read More..
