Taiwan is closely watching the situation in Honduras, one of its diplomatic allies in Central America, after one of the candidates in November's presidential election pledged to recognize Beijing if elected.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Taipei is keeping close tabs on the situation in Honduras prior to its presidential polls scheduled for Nov. 28," MOFA spokeswoman Joanne Ou (???) said.
"Taiwan's embassy has sought to step up interactions and communications with people from all sides there" to explain how the two countries' cooperation has helped the people and its contributions to Honduras' economy and society, she said.
China will do everything possible to poach diplomatic partners from Taiwan, but its promises to win them over are often "colossal but empty," Ou warned.
Her comments were made a day after Xiomaro Castro, the presidential candidate of the left-wing opposition Liberty and Refoundation Party, vowed to open diplomatic relations with China if elected, according to Reuters.
Honduras will hold its presidential election on Nov. 28.
No reliable polling has been done to date, but the main candidates appear to be Tegucigalpa mayor Nasry Asfura of the ruling National Party, Castro, and Salvador Nasralla, who narrowly lost to incumbent Juan Orlando Hernandez in 2017.
Given that this year marks the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Taipei and Tegucigalpa, Ou said the two countries should continue to collaborate to create benefits for their peoples.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel