President of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento paid a state visit to China from June 9-14, 2023, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. Characterised by the exceptional warmth indicative of leaders and countries dedicated to a common path, Xiomara Castro became not only her country’s first female head of state but also the first to visit China. Coming less than three months after the countries established diplomatic relations, the successful visit shows both the rapid progress made in the bilateral friendship as well as its bright future.
Meeting his Honduran counterpart in the Great Hall of the People on the afternoon of June 12, President Xi congratulated Castro on rallying her people on an independent path toward new achievements in national development, and commended her unwavering political will as evidenced by the historic decision she made to fulfil her campaign promise of establishing diplomatic relations with China.
Xi also spoke highly of the active role that Castro’s husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, played in this regard, adding that their contribution to the China-Honduras relationship will go down in history.
Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise. The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras will benefit future generations. China will unswervingly develop friendly relations with Honduras and firmly support Honduras’s economic and social development. China is ready to work with Honduras to increase exchanges on governance experience, share experience in poverty alleviation, social governance, and anti-corruption efforts, and encourage all-round exchanges and cooperation between the governments, legislatures, and political parties, including those at the sub-national level. It stands ready to launch negotiations for a free trade agreement with Honduras as soon as possible and to work together to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among developing countries and to defend their common interests.
Xiomara Castro said that establishing diplomatic relations with China is a historic decision made by the government of Honduras, and it will definitely go down in history. Honduras deeply admires China’s great development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping. The Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, all proposed by President Xi Jinping, will contribute to building a more peaceful and secure world that meets the common expectations of people around the world. Honduras highly values these initiatives and will actively participate in them. She expressed Honduras’s conviction that developing friendly and cooperative relations with China will help Honduras obtain more and better development opportunities. The rapid development of bilateral cooperation over the two months since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries has given Honduras great confidence in the future.
Both heads of state attached importance to working together in the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 17 agreements covering diverse areas and issued a joint statement. As is customary, prior to their talks, a welcoming ceremony was held for the visiting head of state, presided over by President Xi. What drew particular attention was the response of President Castro to the children greeting her. As the Xinhua News Agency reported, the Honduran leader, who was dressed all in red for the occasion, “broke into a smile and reciprocated the warm gestures by forming a heart shape with her hands. Standing beside her was Chinese President Xi Jinping. It’s a scene that would be inscribed in the chronicle of China-Honduras relations.”
President Castro also paid her respects to the martyrs of the Chinese revolution at the Monument to the People’s Heroes.
The joint statement noted that Honduras recalled China’s support at the United Nations General Assembly on June 6 2009 for the adoption of resolution A/RES/30/63 condemning the coup d’état against President Zelaya, and appreciated China’s support for Honduras’s efforts to safeguard sovereignty and security and oppose foreign interference.
The Chinese side highly values the actions and positions of the Government of Honduras under the leadership of the first female President, Xiomara Castro; acknowledging the initiatives of the Government of Honduras to promote equality in the country, uphold the rule of law, and combat corruption in a comprehensive manner. China firmly supports Honduras in independently choosing its development path and independently developing its foreign relations and is willing to exchange experience in governance with Honduras, to provide assistance within its capacity for Honduras’s economic and social development and achieve common development and prosperity.
It added: The two sides oppose all hegemonism and power politics, any unilateralism, protectionism and violence, as well as interference in the internal affairs of other countries. Honduras agrees with China’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all humanity and the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity; supports China’s Global Development Initiative, which is fully in line with the purpose set by the United Nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; and supports the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. Honduras is willing to actively participate in the above initiatives and recognizes their important role in addressing global challenges. China appreciates Honduras’s efforts to promote global and regional peace and development.
Whilst in Beijing, President Castro also met with Premier Li Qiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji, and Li Xi, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), referred to by Xinhua as China’s “anti-graft chief”. The fight against corruption was touched on in the talks between the two presidents and is referred to twice in the joint statement.
President Castro began her visit in Shanghai. Visiting the headquarters of the New Development Bank (NDB), established by the BRICS grouping, and meeting her old friend, Dilma Rousseff, President of the Bank and former President of Brazil, Castro submitted her country’s application to join the growing number of bank members.
In the course of the visit, Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina formally opened his country’s embassy in Beijing alongside his Chinese counterpart, Qin Gang. Reina had also attended the opening of the Chinese embassy in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa shortly before departing for China as part of President Castro’s entourage.
The following articles were originally carried on the websites of the Xinhua News Agency, the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Global Times. The joint statement, as carried by the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, was machine translated and lightly edited by us.
Xi holds talks with Honduran president
Xinhua, 12 June 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing.
Noting President Xiomara Castro is the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in March, Xi extended a warm welcome to Castro and hailed her visit as one of special significance as it opens a new chapter in the annals of the China-Honduras relationship.
Xi congratulated President Xiomara Castro, the first female president of Honduras, on rallying her people on an independent path toward new achievements in national development, and commended her unwavering political will as evidenced by the historic decision she made to fulfill her campaign promise of establishing diplomatic relations with China.
Xi also spoke highly of the active role that Castro’s husband, former President Manuel Zelaya, played in this regard, adding their contribution to the China-Honduras relationship will go down in history.
Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise.
Noting last week the Chinese embassy in Honduras was officially inaugurated, Xi said by sending senior cabinet members to the inauguration ceremony, President Xiomara Castro has demonstrated the high importance she attaches to China-Honduras relations.
Xi also mentioned not long ago, delegations of Honduran journalists and business leaders visited China, noting many of them said that the trip has transformed their perception of China and that they want to stay good friends with the Chinese people. “The Chinese side is deeply touched by these remarks.”
China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development, said the Chinese president.
Xi expressed his readiness to work with the Honduran president from a strategic and long-term perspective to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development and to turn the vision of cooperation into tangible results to the greater benefit of the two peoples.
Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento
Chinese Foreign Ministry, 12 June 2023
On the afternoon of June 12, 2023, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with President of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento who is on a state visit to China.
Xi Jinping noted that President Xiomara Castro is the first Honduran President to pay a state visit to China, and her visit opens a new chapter in the annals of the China-Honduras relationship. Since China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March this year, the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise. The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras will benefit future generations. China will unswervingly develop friendly relations with Honduras and firmly support Honduras’ economic and social development. China is ready to forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development. Xi Jinping expressed his readiness to work with President Xiomara Castro from a strategic and long-term perspective to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development and to turn the vision of cooperation into tangible results to the greater benefit of the two peoples. He expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Honduras relations will make steady and sustained progress and embrace an even brighter future.
Xi Jinping stressed that the two sides should keep to the right direction and deepen political mutual trust. Noting that the one-China principle is the foremost prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of China-Honduras diplomatic relations and the development of bilateral relations, Xi Jinping expressed confidence that Honduras will implement this principle completely and thoroughly. China firmly supports Honduras’ efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development, and improve people’s well-being. China supports Honduras in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions, and opposes any external forces interfering in Honduras’ internal affairs. China is ready to work with Honduras to increase exchanges on governance experience, share experience in poverty alleviation, social governance, and anti-corruption efforts, and encourage all-round exchanges and cooperation between the governments, legislatures and political parties, including those at the sub-national level. The two sides need to foster greater synergy between their strategies, put in place pillars underpinning the two countries’ cooperation mechanisms, and advance Belt and Road cooperation as a leading way to promote common development. China will actively work for the early entry of Honduras’ specialty products into the Chinese market, and stands ready to launch free trade agreement negotiations with Honduras as soon as possible. The two sides also need to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges to cement public support for the China-Honduras friendship. China is ready to work with Honduras to strengthen multilateral coordination, jointly safeguard international order and the basic norms governing international relations, strengthen solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, defend the common interests of developing countries, and uphold international fairness and justice. China is ready to work with Honduras and other Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries to promote the development of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the overall cooperation between China and LAC countries.
Xiomara Castro said that establishing diplomatic relations with China is a historic decision made by the government of Honduras, and it will definitely go down in history. Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, and firmly backs China’s efforts to realize national reunification. Honduras deeply admires China’s great development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping. The Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, all proposed by President Xi Jinping, will contribute to building a more peaceful and secure world that meets the common expectations of people around the world. Honduras highly values these initiatives and will actively participate in them. She expressed Honduras’ conviction that developing friendly and cooperative relations with China will help Honduras obtain more and better development opportunities. The rapid development of bilateral cooperation over the two months since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries has given Honduras great confidence in the future. Honduras expects to work with China to strengthen cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, and science and technology, and step up people-to-people and cultural exchanges. Honduras is ready to actively promote the development of relations between CELAC and China. She expressed confidence that the Honduras-China friendship will withstand the test of time and continuously make new achievements.
After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as Belt and Road cooperation, quality inspection, economy and trade, agriculture, science and technology, and culture and education.
The two sides issued the Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras.
Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras
Chinese Foreign Ministry (in Chinese), 12 June 2023
At the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, President of the Republic of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, paid a state visit to China from 9-14 June. President Xi Jinping and President Castro held the first historic meeting between the two heads of state in Beijing, exchanged in-depth views on the prospects for the development of China-Honduras relations and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus. The two sides unanimously held that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras on the basis of the one-China principle opens a new historical chapter in bilateral relations, conforms to the general trend of the times, and conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. Facing the future, the two sides agreed to strengthen political guidance, promote exchanges at all levels between China and Honduras, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends and partners with mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and common development.
The two sides agreed that upholding the one-China principle is the general consensus of the international community and is also the fundamental prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment and development of Sino-Honduran relations. The Government of Honduras supports United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and reaffirms that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate Government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, resolutely opposes any behaviour contrary to this principle, opposes any form of “Taiwan independence”, and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.
President Castro congratulated the Communist Party of China on uniting and leading the Chinese people to complete the historical task of alleviating poverty, building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way, and realizing the first centenary goal, and firmly believed that the Chinese people, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China, will continue to move towards the realization of the second centenary goal. Honduras highly appreciates China’s comprehensive promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization, and believes that Chinese-style modernization provides new paths and new choices for humanity to achieve modernization. Honduras recalled China’s support at the General Assembly on June 6 2009 for the adoption of resolution A/RES/30/63 condemning the coup d’état against President Zelaya, and appreciated China’s support for Honduras’s efforts to safeguard sovereignty and security and oppose foreign interference.
The Chinese side highly values the actions and positions of the Government of Honduras under the leadership of the first female President, Xiomara Castro; acknowledging the initiatives of the Government of Honduras to promote equality in the country, uphold the rule of law, and combat corruption in a comprehensive manner. China firmly supports Honduras in independently choosing its development path and independently developing its foreign relations and is willing to exchange experience in governance with Honduras, to provide assistance within its capacity for Honduras’s economic and social development and achieve common development and prosperity.
The two sides agreed that the fundamental starting point and foothold of the development of China-Honduras relations is to enhance people’s livelihood and promote common development, and agreed to enhance exchanges between governments, legislatures, political parties and localities, strengthen mutual learning from experience in governance and the fight against corruption, adhere to the people-centred development thinking, and work together to promote the modernization of their respective countries.
Honduras is willing to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. Under the framework of the Belt and Road cooperation, the two sides will strengthen policy coordination and development planning, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, practice the principle of consultation, co-construction and sharing, carry forward the concept of openness, green and sustainability, achieve high standard Belt and Road cooperation, benefit people’s livelihood and sustainability goals, and promote the sustainable development and common prosperity of both sides.
In the initial stage of China-Honduras relations, the two sides reached consensus on negotiating a free trade agreement between the two countries and promoting practical cooperation in various fields. The two sides are willing to adopt effective policies and measures to promote personnel exchanges between the two sides; China welcomes Honduras’s characteristic products to enter the Chinese market, and is willing to provide convenience for this, and Honduras is willing to actively use platforms such as the Shanghai Import Expo to expand exports to China. The Chinese side encourages Chinese enterprises to participate in projects such as economic development, energy, environment, infrastructure and telecommunications, and welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Honduras and is willing to provide policy support and facilitation. China is willing to provide Honduras with opportunities in the fields of health and education. The two sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation in finance, agriculture, education, medical care, culture, tourism, science and technology, media and other fields.
The two heads of state expressed satisfaction with the signing of a series of outcome documents and the establishment of relevant cooperation mechanisms during the first state visit of the President of Honduras to China, covering the fields of economy, trade, quality inspection, investment, political consultation, agricultural cooperation, scientific and technological innovation, culture and higher education, cooperation between diplomatic academies, and mutual visa exemption.
The two sides agreed that the changes in the world, times and history are unfolding in an unprecedented manner, and the two sides are willing to jointly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and support genuine multilateralism. The two sides oppose all hegemonism and power politics, any unilateralism, protectionism and violence, as well as interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
Honduras agrees with China’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all humanity and the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity; supports China’s Global Development Initiative, which is fully in line with the purpose set by the United Nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; and supports the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. Honduras is willing to actively participate in the above initiatives and recognizes their important role in addressing global challenges. China appreciates Honduras’s efforts to promote global and regional peace and development.
The two sides spoke highly of the important role of the China-Latin America (CELAC) Forum in promoting China-Latin America relations. The two sides are willing to strengthen communication and coordination on China-CELAC Forum affairs, work together to successfully host the 2024 China-CELAC Forum Summit, and promote the stability and long-term development of China-Latin America relations in the new era of equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefiting the people.
President Castro expressed her heartfelt thanks to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government and people for their warm and friendly reception during her visit and welcomed President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Honduras to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries.
Chinese premier meets with Honduran president
Xinhua, 13 June 2023
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday met with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing, with both sides pledging to enhance cooperation.
Li noted that in March this year, the two countries’ leaders made the important political decision to establish diplomatic relations, turning over a new page in bilateral ties. He said China greatly appreciates the firm commitment Honduras has made to abide by the one-China principle, and its choice to stand on the right side of history.
“China is willing to work with Honduras to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state to promote the vibrant development of cooperation in various fields,” Li said.
He said that China and Honduras are new friends and partners, and they should be good friends and partners that value mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development. China staunchly supports Honduras in safeguarding its independence, and is willing to strengthen coordination with Honduras in multilateral affairs, Li added.
He urged the two countries to make efforts to advance rapid and steady progress in pragmatic cooperation, and to conduct people-to-people exchanges actively. He said China is ready to tap further into trade potential, accelerate the synergizing of follow-up matters concerning imports of specialty products from Honduras, kick off the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date, carry out investment and financing cooperation in a prudent manner, and accelerate the construction of projects to improve people’s well-being.
China hopes Honduras will provide a favorable and facilitating environment for Chinese enterprises to invest and establish businesses in the country, Li noted.
Castro said that Honduras attaches great importance to relations with China, and it adheres to the one-China principle. The Honduran side is ready to work with China to promote people-to-people exchanges and enhance cooperation in such areas as agriculture, poverty reduction and infrastructure construction to bring bilateral ties onto a steady and sound track and to bring more benefits to the two peoples.
China’s top legislator meets Honduran president
Xinhua, 13 June 2023
China’s top legislator Zhao Leji on Tuesday met with visiting President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing.
Zhao, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that although the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Honduras was not long ago, the fruitful cooperation between the two countries fully proves that the establishment of diplomatic relations conforms to the trend of history and serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples.
China is ready to work with Honduras to implement the important consensus reached between the two heads of state at the historic meeting on Monday and work for steady and long-term bilateral relations, Zhao added.
Zhao briefed Castro on Chinese modernization and the Chinese government’s people-centered philosophy and practice, and said that China’s NPC is willing to carry out multi-level, multi-field and multi-form exchanges and cooperation with the Honduran Congress to learn from each other and better serve the development of their respective countries and benefit the two peoples.
Castro said that the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations, especially the achievements of her current visit to China, fully proves that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Honduras and China is a completely correct historical choice.
Honduras abides by the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen exchanges between the legislative bodies of the two countries to promote the sustained and stable development of bilateral relations, Castro added.
China’s anti-graft chief meets Honduran president in Beijing
Xinhua, 13 June 2023
China’s top anti-graft official Li Xi met with President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento in Beijing on Tuesday.
Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), said China-Honduras cooperation has achieved fruitful early results since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than two month ago, which fully proves that the decision is right and benefits the two countries and peoples.
China is willing to strengthen the exchange of governance experience with Honduras, including in anti-corruption and other fields, strengthen international cooperation on anti-corruption, and push for new achievements in bilateral relations, Li said.
Castro said it is a matter of historic significance for Honduras to recognize the one-China principle and establish diplomatic relations with China on this basis.
Speaking highly of China’s anti-corruption philosophy and achievements, Castro said Honduras is willing to learn from China’s relevant experience.
Historic meeting guides development of China-Honduras relations
Xinhua, 14 June 2023
Greeted by a group of frisky children clutching bouquets, Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, president of the Republic of Honduras, broke into a smile and reciprocated the warm gestures by forming a heart shape with her hands. Standing beside her was Chinese President Xi Jinping.
It’s a scene that would be inscribed in the chronicle of China-Honduras relations. After walking the red carpet China rolled out for the visiting Honduran president, the two heads of state conducted their historic meeting on Monday, jointly charting the course forward for bilateral relations.
NEW CHAPTER
Castro is the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China. When she arrived in Shanghai on Friday, the president said her visit to China is expected by the Honduran people.
On March 26, China and Honduras signed a joint communique in Beijing on the establishment of diplomatic relations. Honduras has thus become the 182nd country to have diplomatic relations with China.
During the meeting, Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise since the establishment of diplomatic ties.
Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi stressed “China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development.”
China and Honduras have every reason to forge close ties. Recognized as a major developing country with a strong sense of responsibility, China has been dedicated to strengthening solidarity and cooperation among developing countries and safeguarding their common interests and international fairness and justice.
During their talks, Xi said that China is willing to work with Honduras and other Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries to promote cooperation on the China-CELAC Forum and the overall cooperation between China and Latin America.
From Costa Rica, Panama, and Dominica, to El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Honduras … Over the years, China has established or restored diplomatic relations with many countries in Central America and the Caribbean region. By making more friends, China is joining Latin American countries to write a new chapter on building a China-Latin America community with a shared future.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
In the past over two months, China and Honduras have been delivering on their commitments and working together with a sense of urgency to bring bilateral relations to a fast track based on principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development.
During the meeting with Castro, Xi mentioned not long ago, a delegation of Honduran business leaders visited China, noting that many of them said the trip has transformed their perception of China.
Among members of the delegations are many coffee merchants, as Honduras is an important coffee exporter. Diplomatic ties with China will bring opportunities for them to explore the vast Chinese market.
“Taking advantage of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Honduran high-quality products represented by coffee will reach more customers from the vast Chinese market,” said Zelaya, a Honduran coffee merchant who only gave his first name.
“China is a big country with leading science and technology,” said Mario, another coffee merchant. “The advanced machinery made in China will promote the development and upgrading of the Honduran coffee industry, and active cooperation between two countries in various fields will continue to benefit the Honduran people.”
According to the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first four months of this year, China’s total export-import volume with Honduras reached 3.893 billion yuan (544 million U.S. dollars), a year-on-year increase of 22.9 percent, of which imports increased 229.5 percent.
The fruitful results brought by the two countries’ practical cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic ties testify to the huge development potential of bilateral relations.
On Friday, Castro said in Shanghai that Honduras will actively participate in the sixth China International Import Expo to be held in November; On Sunday, China and Honduras held a high-level business meeting, the first of its kind since the two countries established diplomatic relations; On Monday, the two countries pledged in a joint statement to negotiate a free trade agreement, and encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in Honduras’s development by investing in projects of various fields.
During the visit, China and Honduras also signed a memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road cooperation, making Honduras an official participating country of the Belt and Road Initiative. Latin America now has 22 countries that have joined Belt and Road cooperation with China.
The vigorous vitality and broad prospect of China-Honduras practical cooperation is a manifestation of China and Latin American countries working together to promote practical cooperation and achieve common development.
According to data from China’s General Administration of Customs, the total trade volume between China and Latin America and the Caribbean countries reached a new high of 485.79 billion dollars in 2022, exceeding 450 billion dollars for the second consecutive year and marking an increase of more than 7 percent over 2021.
NEW EXPECTATIONS
During the talks with Castro, Xi said that the two sides should promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges to consolidate the popular support for China-Honduras friendship. The establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties has paved the way for the two peoples to strengthen cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding.
In May, a delegation of 30 Honduran media professionals visited Shanghai, Guizhou, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and other places in China.
“In the past, my impression of China came entirely from Western media reports. This trip to China allowed me to see the modern urban governance model with my own eyes, which is worth learning from,” said Pedro Membreno, editor-in-chief of the Honduran newspaper People’s Power.
With the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Membreno said, the Honduran people now have a growing need for real Chinese information to grasp further knowledge of the country.
“This trip to China helped me feel the harmonious coexistence between the city and the natural environment, which embodied the concept of sustainable development. I will try to let more Hondurans know how socialism makes China prosper in a way that is easy for the audience to understand,” said Carlos Mendez, a new media worker in Honduras.
Li Xinwei, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also bears witness to the rapid development of civil exchanges between the two countries
Since 2015, Li has been working with his Honduran colleagues on a joint archaeological team to excavate the ruins of an aristocratic courtyard in the ancient city of Copan, one of the birthplaces of the Mayan civilization.
“Studying the Mayan civilization would also help us better understand the formation and development of Chinese civilization,” Li said.
“There is still a lot of potential for our archaeological cooperation with China, and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries provides more opportunities for this,” said Salvador Varela Martinez, the western region representative of the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History.
Xi himself is also a champion of the diversity of human civilizations. In June 2013, the Chinese president visited the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, saying that different cultures and civilizations, while retaining their uniqueness, should be open-minded, tolerant and coexist in peace with each other, thus to achieve common development and prosperity.
In 2016, when delivering a key speech at the Peruvian Congress, Xi called for China and Latin America to carry out people-to-people and cultural exchanges and mutual learning of civilization in order to realize the synchronous development of China-Latin America cooperation at both material and spiritual levels.
Going forward, China, Honduras, and other Latin American countries are poised to further deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation and enhance friendship, so as to promote China-Latin America relations into a new era characterized by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and benefits for the people.
China-Honduras ties off to a speedy, solid start
Xinhua, 15 June 2023
Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento made a historic state visit to China less than three months after the two countries forged diplomatic ties.
Prior to her talks on Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Xi held a welcome ceremony for her at the square outside the Great Hall of the People, where the Honduran president, delighted, made a hand heart to a group of frisky children greeting her.
Over the past weeks, both sides have been proactive and practical to deliver on their diplomatic commitments with a sense of urgency. The bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise.
In March, Honduras signed with China a joint communique on establishing diplomatic ties, becoming the latest in a string of Central American countries to sever so-called “diplomatic ties” with China’s Taiwan region. In early June, China inaugurated its embassy in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, and Honduras has also opened its embassy in Beijing.
The historic visit is of special significance. It opens a new chapter in the annals of the China-Honduras relationship, as both sides continue to deepen their political mutual trust and further tap potential for their highly complementary economies.
The fast growing bilateral relationship is expected to expand the scale of bilateral trade, increase local employment, and enhance people’s welfare in Honduras’s largely agricultural economy.
Customs statistics indicated that in the first four months of this year, China’s trade with Honduras logged a total value of 3.893 billion yuan (some 543.4 million U.S. dollars), up 22.9 percent year on year, with imports increasing by 229.5 percent.
During his talks with Castro on Monday, Xi said China will promote the early introduction of Honduran specialty products to the Chinese market, and is willing to start the negotiation process for a free trade agreement at an early date.
On the same day, Chinese customs announced the approval of the import of Whiteleg shrimp from Honduras. Coming up, more are expected to hit the Chinese market, including bananas, melons, coffee, cigars and beef, from this major coffee bean grower and cigar exporter in Central America.
Now local farmers and businessmen are eyeing greater market opportunities and upgraded processing techniques with advanced machinery from China. They are also upbeat about the sixth China International Import Expo scheduled for November in Shanghai.
Notably, the two sides also signed a document on cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a major milestone for boosting bilateral cooperation. They also agreed to cooperate in areas such as quality inspection, trade, agriculture, technology, culture and education.
Both countries have also voiced staunch support for each other regarding their respective core interests. Honduras will act faithfully on the one-China principle, the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations. China pledged firm support for Honduras in choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions.
Meanwhile, Honduras shares with China such common values of humanity as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, and honors the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Experts believe their ties will also exert a radial effect on the continuous deepening of China-Latin America relations in the new era and have an important bearing on the promotion of democracy in international relations.
Their mutual trust also comes from ever increasing understanding between both peoples. For many Hondurans, China is not just a new friend from afar, but a friend quite different from how the biased Western media have portrayed. Now with direct ties, many say they get to see and experience a real, fascinating China in person.
Last month, a delegation comprising around 30 media professionals from Honduran radios, televisions, newspapers and social media platforms visited Shanghai, Guizhou, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and other Chinese localities. And during her state visit this week, Castro said Honduras will send young students to Shanghai for study.
Pledging to be good friends and partners that enjoy mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development, China and Honduras will reap dividends from the sound and steady progress in their bilateral ties.
Honduran president requests entry into New Development Bank of BRICS
Global Times, 10 June 2023
President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento formally requested the country’s admission to the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB) after she visited the headquarters of the bank in Shanghai on Saturday. She also visited a Huawei research center on the same day, highlighting pragmatic cooperation during her trip to China.
In addition to promoting political consensus, pragmatic cooperation in the economic and trade fields can also help create a solid foundation for China-Honduras relations so as to ensure that bilateral relations can go further, experts noted.
“We believe that we can have all the possibilities here to find mechanisms that allow us to develop our economy, as well as find permanent allies that allow us to give a different quality of life to our peoples,” Castro said at the NDB, a multilateral development bank established by BRICS countries, according to an EFE report.
During a meeting with Dilma Rousseff, the president of the NDB, Castro formally requested to join the bank, Castro’s office said in a tweet. It also added that a technical commission from the Honduran government will start the process in the next few days.
Also on Saturday, Castro visited a Huawei Shanghai Research Center. She toured an exhibition hall that displays cutting-edge digital technologies and experienced firsthand the application of new technology in real-world scenarios, according to a statement Huawei sent to the Global Times on Saturday.
According to the statement, the president held in-depth discussions with Dr Liang Hua, Huawei’s chairman of board, on areas where they can collaborate, such as information and communications technology (ICT), inclusive connectivity, digital transformation of industries like healthcare and education, green development, as well as talent cultivation.
“[Huawei] is very important for the president to seek technological cooperation for Honduras,” Honduran foreign minister Eduardo Enrique Reina told thepaper.cn, a Shanghai-based media outlet, noting that they hold the expectation of deepening bilateral relations through the visit as China has a record of very strong participation in the international organization and in the world economy.
The president’s visits to both the NDB and Huawei were an indication of the Honduran government’s high interests and eagerness to develop economic and trade relations with China, said Sun Yanfeng, director of Latin American research at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
They want more support from multilateral financial institutions like the NDB for financing, especially in areas such as infrastructure, and also hope to promote their country’s development through scientific and technological cooperation, Sun told the Global Times on Saturday.
Like many Latin American countries, Honduras also faces development challenges. The pursuit of technological cooperation will be crucial for Honduras to improve its industrial structure to find new growth momentum for its economy and people, Sun noted.
Castro is currently on a six-day official visit to China, which will run until June 14, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The first state visit to China by a Honduran president came just less than three months after the two countries established diplomatic ties following Honduras’ decision to sever the so-called “diplomatic relations” with China’s Taiwan region and came soon after the opening of China’s Embassy in Honduras.
Embassy of Honduras inaugurated in Beijing
Xinhua, 11 June 2023
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang attended the inauguration ceremony of the embassy of the Republic of Honduras in Beijing with visiting Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina on Sunday.
Extending warm congratulations on the opening of the Honduran embassy in Beijing, Qin said the establishment of diplomatic ties on the basis of the one-China principle has opened a new era of China-Honduras relations.
Noting that bilateral relations got off to a strong start over the past two months, Qin said that the rapid development of bilateral relations has fully proved that adherence to the one-China principle is recognized by the international community, reflects the trend of the times and the aspiration of the people, and serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples.
Echoing Qin’s remarks, Reina said that the establishment of diplomatic relations with China opens a new era in Honduras’ relations with the world and offers a chance for Honduras to become a great and prosperous country.
The Honduran side will firmly abide by the one-China principle, and believes bilateral relations will continue to strengthen and yield fruitful results for the benefit of the two peoples, he added.
China officially inaugurates embassy in Honduras
Global Times, 6 June 2023
China officially inaugurated its embassy in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras on Monday local time, less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras following Foreign Minister of Honduras Eduardo Enrique Reina visiting Beijing in March.
The national anthems of both China and Honduras were played at the ceremony site. Subsequently, Yu Bo, charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy in Honduras, and Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina jointly unveiled the plaque for the embassy.
In his speech at the ceremony, Yu said that the one-China principle is a common consensus and a universally recognized norm of international relations. It is an overwhelming trend supported by international justice, the general trend, and public opinion. Honduras, with a broad strategic vision and firm political will, seized historical opportunities to make the important decision to acknowledge the one-China principle and became the 182nd country to establish diplomatic relations with China, which is highly appreciated by China.
On March 26, China and Honduras signed Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras. The two countries decided to mutually recognize and establish ambassador-level diplomatic relations from the day the communiqué was signed.
Less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides quickly connected exchanges and cooperation in various fields, constantly gathering consensus and strength to promote the development of bilateral relations, Yu noted.
Since the arrival of a preparation team from China in Honduran capital Tegucigalpa to build the Chinese embassy earlier in April, Chinese officials have held frequent and high-level meetings with multiple senior Honduran officials, fully advancing relevant preparations for the construction as well as promoting bilateral exchanges, Yu told the Global Times in a previous exclusive interview with the Global Times.
“During these meetings, the Honduran side acknowledged and promised to adhere to the one-China principle, said they will no longer have any official relations or conduct any official exchanges with Taiwan,” Yu said.
Reina congratulated all concerned on the opening of the Chinese Embassy in Honduras. He stated that the establishment of diplomatic relations with China was an independent and autonomous decision by Honduras, which will help Honduras develop diversified international relations and join the world mainstream.
Honduras will firmly adhere to the one-China principle and hopes to jointly promote trade cooperation with China to improve Honduran infrastructure, assist in poverty alleviation, create employment opportunities, enhance people’s well-being, and promote social prosperity, he said.
About 200 people, including the Second Vice President of Honduras Doris Gutiérrez, government officials and parliament representatives, foreign diplomatic envoys and international organization representatives in Honduras, and representatives of Chinese institutions and overseas Chinese in Honduras, attended the opening ceremony.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced on Monday that she will visit China from June 9 to 14 at the invitation of China.
“At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, I will visit with a special mission, with [Foreign Minister Enrique Reina] the People’s Republic of China between June 9 and 14,” Castro said in a Twitter post on Monday. “The refoundation of Honduras demands new political, scientific, technical, commercial and cultural horizons.”
This will be the Honduran president’s first visit to China since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
