Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Helen Davidson in Taipei

‘Not about the highest bidder’: the countries defying China to stick with Taiwan

Composite of Taiwan and other flags
Nine countries have switched allegiance to China since president Tsai Ing-wen in 2016, leaving just 13 formal diplomatic allies. Composite: Alamy / Guardian design

Outside an unmarked building on the banks of a Taipei river, 14 flags usually fly, one for each of Taiwan’s allies. But last week, the flag of Honduras was removed from the site, which houses diplomatic outposts. Now, just 13 remain.

The standard came down after Xiomara Castro, the president of Honduras, announced on Twitter she was making good on promises made during her campaign to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan after 82 years and ally with China.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.