Honduras breaks ties with Taiwan, establishes relations with China

Honduras broke off relations with Taiwan and established diplomatic ties on Sunday with China, which views the self-governing island democracy as a rogue province. 

China's Foreign Affairs Minister Qin Gang and Honduras' Foreign Affairs Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina in Beijing on Sunday signed a joint communique stating that "there is but one China in the world" and "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory." 

Honduras agreed in the statement to "sever 'diplomatic relations' with Taiwan as of this day and undertakes that it shall no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan."

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sunday it had worked to maintain a relationship with Honduran President Xiomara Castro, but it now "expresses great sadness and regret that the Castro administration has disregarded Taiwan’s long-standing assistance and friendship and engaged China in talks on establishing diplomatic relations."

With Honduras' announcement, 182 countries, including the United States, now adhere to the "one China" policy, by which countries acknowledge the Chinese Communist Party's belief that Taiwan is part of China. Only 13 sovereign states recognize Taiwan.