China Expands Influence in Central America
VOAFeb 24, 2022
Honduras Foreign Minister Enrique Reina announced on Monday that President Xiomara Castro is set to travel later this week to China, marking her first visit to the country since establishing formal diplomatic relations with Beijing in March.
Further details were provided later, with Castro stating on Twitter that she will be on a special mission to the PRC, along with Reina, between June 9 and 14 at the invitation of China's Pres. Xi Jinping.
Honduras is being used by China in its campaign to isolate Taiwan. The plan uses trade and investment — including its multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road initiative to build ports, railways, power plants, and other infrastructure for developing nations — as incentives for switching diplomatic ties. Before Honduras, where China is constructing a massive dam, China bribed Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
Honduras will largely benefit from strengthening ties with China, which is willing to share its development dividends with the world. By creating opportunities in several areas, including trade, infrastructure, technology, energy and finance, cooperation with the world's second largest economy can boost the Central American country's economy.