On March 13, my embassy in Honduras received a letter dated March 7 from the foreign minister of Hongdus Reina.

The letter proposes to build a hospital with US$90 million, raise the dam to US$350 million, and also hopes that we can buy Hongguo's 2 billion national debt, which adds up to US$2.45 billion.

(provided by readers)

[Reporter Lv Yixuan/Taipei Report] my country broke off diplomatic relations with Honduras today, ending nearly 82 years of friendship.

Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie publicly explained the price negotiation process between Hongguo and our side, "Twice proposed to build a hospital but with completely different prices, I feel that we want money instead of a hospital."

Wu Zhaoxie emphasized that Taiwan's foreign aid is project-oriented, and it will do its best to help the people if it is good for the people. It is not like China's promise of opaque aid or large loans to plunge other countries into debt crisis. "That is not what we should do."

Wu Zhaoxie held a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, announcing the severance of diplomatic relations between my country and Honduras.

Wu Zhaoxie said that my country recalled the ambassador on Thursday, and our side has also been closely monitoring the status of negotiations between China and Honduras in the past few days. The decision to announce this morning has nothing to do with the Hong side's announcement.

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When the media asked about Hongfang and our country's asking price process, Wu Zhaoxie emphasized that all this has been proved in black and white.

Hongfang’s request last year was first to build a hospital, and the price of the hospital was clearly stated at 45 million U.S. dollars. Second, it wanted us to build a dam for 300 million U.S. dollars. In addition, it hoped to eat up their 2 billion U.S. dollars in debt.

On March 13 this year, the Chinese embassy suddenly received another letter dated March 7. It was written by Foreign Minister Hong. The amount in the letter was adjusted. To 350 million U.S. dollars, and hope to eat 2 billion national debts, adding up to 2.45 billion U.S. dollars, I hope we can help.

But Wu Zhaoxie emphasized that our approach to assisting other countries is plan-oriented. For example, if we want to build a hospital, we will promise to build a hospital, including follow-up equipment or operation, but it does not mean directly giving 90 million.

Giving money directly is a bit like bribery. "Especially the two proposals to build a hospital, but there are two completely different prices. It feels like money rather than a hospital."

For example, in Guatemala, where President Tsai will be visiting, my country has also assisted in the construction of the new campus of the public hospital in Chimaltenango Province.

Wu Zhaoxie said, this is our way of aiding foreign countries, and this is the Taiwan model that we are proud of.

Asking for money instead of actual projects shouldn't be something we do.

Whether it is agriculture, industry, medical care or infrastructure proposed by all friendly countries, as long as it is beneficial to the country and the people, Taiwan will do its best to assist, and the conclusion of the discussion will be implemented.

Taiwan will not, like China, make flashy promises, make other countries mistakenly think that China can provide large amounts of aid, but it is not transparent, or large loans will make them fall into debt crisis, those are what we should not do.

On March 13, my embassy in Honduras received a letter dated March 7 from the foreign minister of Hongdus Reina.

The letter proposes to build a hospital with US$90 million, raise the dam to US$350 million, and also hopes that we can buy Hongguo's 2 billion national debt, which adds up to US$2.45 billion.

(provided by readers)