Honduras cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan on Saturday, recognizing “only one China in the world,” according to a statement from the country’s foreign ministry, posted on Twitter and reported by China’s CCTV. The announcement comes as tensions between China and the United States continue to rise. The move is a significant one and leaves Taiwan recognized by just 13 sovereign states.

According to the declaration, Honduras acknowledges that there is only one China in the entire globe, and that the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government that can speak for all of China. The declaration went on to say that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory” and that Taiwan has been notified of the break in diplomatic ties by the Honduran government.

Honduras is the ninth ally that Taipei has lost to Beijing diplomatically since President Tsai Ing-wen assumed office in May 2016. Since the two countries’ separation in 1949 due to civil conflict, China and Taiwan have been at odds over diplomatic recognition. Beijing has poured billions of dollars into gaining support for its “One China” strategy.

Taiwan is allegedly a part of Chinese territory, which Beijing plans to seize by force if necessary. The nation has retaliatory measures in place against nations that forge official links with Taiwan. In Latin America, Taiwan still maintains links with Paraguay, Belize, Guatemala, and Vatican City. The majority of its surviving partners are island countries in the Caribbean and the South Pacific. Taiwan and Eswatini continue to be linked in Southern Africa.

Even though the US doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, China still retains strong informal ties with more than 100 nations, with the US being its most significant partner in the Indo-Pacific region.