Honduras has officially severed its diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established relations with China, a move that has drawn criticism from the United States for being unfair to Taiwan. The announcement was made by Honduras’ President, Juan Orlando Hernandez, who said that the decision was made based on the country’s economic and strategic interests.

Following the announcement, China has welcomed Honduras into what it calls the “family of nations,” while Taiwan has expressed regret over the loss of its diplomatic ally. The United States, meanwhile, has warned Honduras and other countries that China’s promises often turn out to be empty.

Honduras is not the first country to switch its recognition from Taiwan to China in recent years, with the Dominican Republic and El Salvador having done so in 2018. This move is part of China’s “One China” policy, which seeks to isolate Taiwan and assert China’s claim over the island, which it regards as its own territory.

The United States is one of Taiwan’s most important allies and has voiced its support for Taiwan in the face of China’s pressure. The US State Department released a statement saying that it was disappointed by Honduras’ decision, urging other countries to continue supporting Taiwan and its democracy.

The move by Honduras comes at a time of increasing tension between the United States and China, with the two countries engaged in a trade war and the US accusing China of human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. This latest development is likely to add to the growing geopolitical tensions in the region.