Ushering in robust era of bilateral relations
Honduran embassy opens in Beijing, delivers strong start to dynamic diplomatic ties
State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina jointly unveiled a plaque to formally inaugurate the Central American country’s embassy in Beijing on June 11.
The ceremony marked major progress in the exchange of diplomats following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides. China officially inaugurated its embassy in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, on June 5.
China and Honduras have delivered a strong start to their diplomatic relations and are confident of making their ties a role model of friendly collaboration based on mutual respect and a win-win approach, officials and experts said.
On March 26, Honduras became the 182nd nation to establish diplomatic relations with China.
“Two months ago, China and Honduras officially built their diplomatic relations based on the one-China principle, fulfilled the long-lasting wish of their peoples, and ushered in the new era of China-Honduras ties,” Qin said at the event.
Over the past two months, the two sides have been faithfully fulfilling the pledges made during the establishment of their diplomatic relations, ensuring a robust start to bilateral ties, Qin added.
The Honduran foreign minister voiced his hope that their bilateral ties will grow day by day. Reina said his country stands ready to push forward the collaboration between the two governments and their cooperation in various fields, including exporting the country’s signature products to China.
Honduras is ready to work for the early start of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, and it looks forward to more joint efforts between the two countries in implementing a range of bilateral or multilateral initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, Reina said.
The embassy opening ceremony in Beijing was held amid the ongoing state visit by Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento.
At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Castro made a state visit to China from June 9 through June 14. She arrived in Shanghai, the first leg of her trip, on June 9 morning and then reached Beijing on the evening of June 10.
Xu Shicheng, a senior researcher on Latin America studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the Honduran government looks to reinforce its ties with China to help improve domestic livelihoods, which is why the Honduran president is making a state visit shortly after the establishment of diplomatic relations.