China Responds to Honduras' 'Taiwan Breakup' with Coffee, Banana, and Shrimp Imports

China imported agricultural and seafood products from Honduras. Honduras is a country that severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and decided to engage with China.

The General Administration of Customs of China announced quarantine procedures related to the import of raw coffee beans, bananas, and farmed seafood (shrimp) from Honduras through notices No. 67-69 on the 13th.

This came just one day after Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Honduran President Xiomara Castro, who visited China for the first time as a Honduran president, in Beijing and expressed support for Honduras' development.

It is interpreted as a twofold effect: providing Honduras, which chose its own path by severing ties with Taiwan, with an economic gift package of agricultural and seafood exports to China, while simultaneously sending a silent message to countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

President Xiomara Castro of Honduras, who is on a state visit to China, is reviewing the honor guard with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on the 12th.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

President Xi told President Castro the previous day, "China will steadfastly develop bilateral relations and firmly support Honduras' economic and social development," and President Castro emphasized, "We support the 'One China' principle and firmly back China's efforts toward national reunification."

The two countries issued the "China-Honduras Joint Statement," a result of their summit, agreeing to strengthen policy coordination and integrate development plans under the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路: the land and maritime Silk Road connecting China, Central Asia, and Europe), and to deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

In March, Honduras accepted the "One China" principle, severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan, with which it had maintained diplomatic ties for 82 years, and established diplomatic relations with China. The "One China" principle is China's policy of not recognizing Taiwan as an official country.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.