After contentious U.S. visit, Taiwan's President arrives in Central America

President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to Guatemala and its Central American neighbour Belize comes after Honduras became the latest country to cut diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in Guatemala on March 31 on a visit to shore up ties with dwindling allies following a trip to the United States that angered China.

Ms. Tsai's visit to Guatemala and its Central American neighbour Belize comes after Honduras became the latest country to cut diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing.

The President had stopped in New York on the way, and has announced plans to meet U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California on her return leg.

Washington has said there is no reason for China to "overreact" to the "normal, uneventful" trip, but Beijing warned the United States was "playing with fire."

Ms. Tsai arrived in Guatemala on Friday afternoon, where she was received with military honours and met by Foreign Minister Mario Bucaro.

She held a brief meeting with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, whose government has declared Taiwan "the only and true China," before the two staged a joint press conference reaffirming their bond.

"The ties between Guatemala and Taiwan are unbreakable," Mr. Giammattei said.