Taiwan has ‘a lot to offer’, Blinken says after Honduras diplomatic U-turn


Antony Blinken in Niamey, Niger, on March 16, 2023. BOUREIMA HAMA / AFP

Taiwan hasa lot to offer“Said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after the diplomatic reversal of Honduras which intends to establish official relations with Beijing. “I think it’s in people’s interest to be able to engage with the world. Taiwan has a lot to offer, including, for example, in international institutions, where remarkably talented people have considerable experience and expertise.Blinken said in an interview with AFP late Thursday evening in Niamey, where he was on a visit. “Countries must decide for themselves if and how they want to benefitadded Mr. Blinken.

Honduras, one of the 14 countries that still recognized Taipei, announced that it had changed sides after Taiwan’s refusal to increase its financial aid to this developing country. Mr. Blinken said the United States had offered its “supporting the people of Taiwanbut that they also maintain their own policy of only recognizing Beijing. “Countries must make their own sovereign decisions regarding their foreign policy“, did he declare. “We leave that to them.»

American double position

Washington is one of Taiwan’s closest allies and supporters, while recognizing the communist government in Beijing as the sole legitimate representative of China. The Beijing-based People’s Republic of China claims sovereignty over the island of Taiwan, whose official name is Republic of China and which has been administered for more than 70 years by a rival regime.

In the name of the principle of aonly china», the communist power in Beijing does not accept diplomatic relations with both him and Taipei. Any recognition by a country of the People’s Republic of China leads de facto to the rupture between it and Taiwan.



Source link -94