Taipei warns Honduras against 'poison' of aid from Beijing

Taiwan warned Honduras on Thursday not to be tempted by the "poison" of aid from China, no matter how indebted it was, and ruled out getting involved in a bidding war for diplomatic allies with its mainland rival.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro said on Tuesday that she had asked her foreign minister to open official relations with China.

If the Central American country does end relations with Taiwan, it would leave the island with only 13 diplomatic allies.

Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina said on Wednesday that the decision to switch allegiance to China was partly because Honduras was "up to its neck" in financial challenges and debt - including US$600 million (S$808 million) it owes Taiwan.

"We remind the Honduran government that it should not quench its thirst with poison, even if fully parched by debt obligations," said the Taiwan ministry.