Taiwan ally Honduras seeks diplomatic switch to China - BBC

Taiwan is in danger of losing one of its few formal allies, Honduras, as the Central American nation seeks official relations with China.

China has long tried to isolate Taiwan and prohibits its partners from keeping ties with the island which it considers part of its territory.

On Wednesday, China's foreign ministry welcomed the Honduras leader's statement and said it was willing to develop "friendly and cooperative relations" with the country.

China has sought to expand its influence around the world as its leader, Xi Jinping, consolidates power back home while reviving the economy from the bruising zero-Covid policy.

Ms Castro, who assumed office in 2021, said she had instructed her foreign minister to pursue official relations with China, fulfilling one of her campaign pledges.

The outgoing president of the Pacific island nation of Micronesia, David Panuelo, accused China of spying and attempting to bribe local politicians to bring his country to Beijing's side.