Lawmakers from across party lines have condemned China’s use of “vaccine diplomacy” in an attempt to win over Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. That’s in light of reports that Central American ally Honduras could cut off ties with Taiwan in exchange for shipments of China’s COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the foreign ministry, Honduras’ foreign ministry says that Honduras-Taiwan ties remain firm. But on Thursday, members of the Legislature’s foreign affairs committee have expressed concerns.
DPP lawmaker Chao Tien-lin used the word “crisis” to describe the current situation. Chao also said that China’s use of life-saving vaccines as a tool of aggressive foreign policy will ignite worldwide indignation. Chao said that in addition to convincing the US to give some of its vaccine stockpile to countries like Honduras, Taiwan must also find its own ways to ensure its allies have the supply they need.
Both DPP lawmaker Chen Ting-fei and independent Freddy Lim condemned China’s attempts to suppress and undermine Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, KMT lawmaker Lai Shyh-bao said that Taiwan must find a way to stabilize its ties with Honduras, and that Taiwan’s efforts to do so so far haven’t been enough.