Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu says Taiwan has severed diplomatic relations with the Central American nation of Honduras. This brings the number of countries having diplomatic relations with Taiwan to 13 -- the lowest ever.

Wu made the announcement at a news conference in Taipei on Sunday. He said negotiations are underway between Honduras and Beijing to establish diplomatic relations. He said Taiwan has decided to sever ties with Honduras to protect its sovereignty and dignity.

Wu accused Honduras of demanding billions of dollars in aid, comparing the amount with that of a Chinese aid plan and leaking what he described as false information on the contents of discussions between Taiwan and Honduras.

Beijing asserts there is only one China, and Taiwan is part of it.

It has been pressuring nations to cut ties with Taiwan under President Tsai Ing-wen, who refuses to accept the "one-China" policy.

The number of countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan has dropped by nine, including Honduras, since Tsai took office in 2016.

Tsai is scheduled to begin a tour of two Central American nations by way of the United States on Wednesday. Wu said he is highly suspicious that the negotiations between Beijing and Honduras were scheduled to coincide with Tsai's trip.