Mao Ning, the spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that this was a political decision of Tegucigalpa and is based on the recognition of the principle of One China, as Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Nicaragua did before.

She denied, once again, rumors linking this step with the purchase, by the Asian giant, of the Central American country’s sovereign debt for two thousand 500 million dollars.

She reaffirmed the commitment of China and Honduras to the development of ties where equality, mutual benefit and cooperation, extended to different sectors and with a positive impact on the socio-economic progress of each side, are paramount.

Mao also criticized and predicted the failure of Taiwan for insisting on independence and money diplomacy to maintain ties with the international community.

This March 26 China and Honduras established diplomatic relations, making the decision official with the signing of a joint statement in Beijing and decided to appoint ambassadors in their respective capitals.

The cutting of ties with Tegucigalpa after more than 80 years, left Taipei with the recognition of only 13 countries in the world.

The international community approved with 170 votes a resolution in 1971 which considers the People’s Republic of China the only legitimate representative before the United Nations and recognizes the island of Taiwan as an inalienable part of that Asian nation.

To move towards complete reunification of the national territory, Beijing also advocates the One Country, Two Systems policy, applied in the administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

However, the Taiwanese leadership refuses to accept this status.

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