The U.S. has decided to send an envoy to Honduras after the Central American country is reported to be on the verge of cutting ties with Taiwan. Taiwan's lawmakers, meanwhile, are calling on Vice President William Lai to make a trip to Honduras.
Reporter asked Joseph Wu, Foreign Affairs Minister: “Are you worried about Honduras?”
Joseph Wu enters the legislature without answering reporters' questions. Alarm bells are sounding for Taiwan's diplomatic ties with Honduras, which were first established 82 years ago. Honduras' foreign minister has said the nation may switch its diplomatic allegiance to China because Taiwan won't give Honduras more financial aid. Premier Chen Chien-jen is singing a different tune, saying it's all China's fault and Honduras should be smarter than that.
Chen Chien-jen, ROC Premier: “They have special funds for designated countries. Their initiative has been a huge flop. We hope Honduras can see China's true colors. They should keep their diplomatic ties with us and not be tricked by China.”
The U.S. has decided its involvement in the matter is needed, with President Joe Biden sending Chris Dodd on a trip to Honduras and Panama from the 17th to 21st. The official purpose of Dodd's trip is to promote economic growth and democratic development in the western hemisphere, but everyone can read between the lines.
Kuo Kuo-wen, Legislator (DPP): “The Biden administration has also sent (Chris) Dodd to try to persuade (Honduras) to change its mind. We hope Dodd will be successful and help us shore up our diplomatic relations. This kind of auction-style diplomacy is out-of-date.”
Chen I-hsin, Legislator (KMT): “William Lai just promised everyone our relations with Honduras were fine. He won't be dealing with this because he's too busy registering for the presidential elections. William Lai, are you going to take any responsibility? Why don't you head on over to Honduras to shore up relations before you turn your attention to your presidential campaign?”
U.S. officials say China reneges on its promises. Will this diplomatic crisis for Taiwan be averted? Only time will tell.
「會擔心跟宏都拉斯斷交嗎？」吳釗燮沒有停下腳步回應，直接步入立法院，台灣跟宏都拉斯82年邦誼傳出警訊，宏國外長更直指台灣拒絕增加金援是主因，不過行政院長陳建仁強調，中國為了打壓台灣外交，才會挹注特定國家相關經費，呼籲宏國不要受騙。
行政院長陳建仁指出：「他對特定國家所做的這些基金的挹注，實際上大部分都是失敗的。我們很希望宏都拉斯能夠認清中國的本質，所以希望能夠維持我們的邦交，不要受騙。」
台宏邦交出現警訊，美國總統拜登派出特使陶德，3月17日到21日赴宏都拉斯跟巴拿馬訪問。台面上國務院稱推進美在西半球促進經濟成長、民主發展等承諾，也被解讀台面下助台穩住邦交。
民進黨立委郭國文表示：「美國拜登政府也派出了陶德出來進行遊說，我們希望能夠達到一定程度鞏固外交邦誼的效果。這種拍賣式的外交關係，其實已經不再是世界整個外交途徑的主流。」
國民黨立委陳以信說：「賴清德才為台宏邦交掛保證，現在卻傳出斷交的危機，他現在又要登記選總統。請問賴清德是否應該要負點責任，先飛一趟宏都拉斯穩固邦交之後，再回來選總統呢？」
宏國拋出與中建交風向，美方多位官員也示警，中國承諾常常跳票。美國特使將訪問宏國，能否解除台宏邦交危機，各界關注。
