“A new historical phase” On the morning of June 13, the sentence appeared on all major media websites in Honduras, and the number “17” appeared at the same time. It is noteworthy that the number of multi-sectoral cooperation MoUs signed by China and Honduras is 17. Honduran media specifically noted that the signing of the MoU on joint construction of the “Belt and Road” would provide the country with “development opportunities to connect to a wider market”. Honduras is an important country in Central America and also a “new friend” of China. On March 26 this year, China and Honduras established diplomatic relations based on the one-China principle, and Honduras became the 182nd country to establish diplomatic relations with China.
On June 12, when Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Honduran President Xiomara Castro, he expressed “high appreciation” for her historic decision and firm political will. Observers pointed out that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras and the meeting between the two heads of state will bring a bright future for cooperation between the two countries. President Castro’s visit to China took less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras. Both sides have fully demonstrated their determination to develop relations. Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina made a comparison regarding the future of the two countries, saying that the relationship between Honduras and China is like a “big and strong tree”, which is growing rapidly and continuously and achieving positive results. doing.
The foundation of the “big tree”, lies in mutual political trust. China and Honduras have established diplomatic relations based on the one-China principle, which is also the fundamental and political basis for the development of bilateral relations. This time during talks with Castro, President Xi once again stressed the One-China principle. President Castro pledged that Honduras firmly supports and adheres to the One-China principle, and also firmly supports the Chinese government’s efforts to realize national reunification. This shows once again that the One-China principle, ratified by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 in 1971, has become a consensus in the international community.
China and Honduras have not established diplomatic relations for a long time, but the relationship between the two countries is moving forward rapidly: after the establishment of diplomatic relations with China, the China-Honduras trade volume has grown rapidly. According to Chinese customs statistics, Honduras is in the list of the first three countries among China’s import source countries in the first four months of this year. During Honduran President Castro’s visit to China, Honduras formally submitted an application to join the New Development Bank. The two sides agreed to start free trade agreement negotiations as soon as possible and sign a memorandum of understanding on joint construction of the “Belt and Road”. The plans made by the leaders of the two countries for the development of bilateral relations will soon translate into concrete cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and people-to-people exchanges. Honduran business is confident that the country’s specialties such as white shrimp, watermelon and coffee will be welcome in the Chinese market. At the same time, Honduras welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in Honduras and participate in Honduras’ economic development.
Speaking of deepening cooperation with China, President Castro said, “I have come to China with the expectations of the Honduran people.” At present, China is pursuing Chinese-style modernization in an all-round way, which will bring opportunities to all countries in the world. Honduras has a relatively low level of economic and social development in Latin America, and is looking forward to cooperation with China in areas such as infrastructure, energy and mineral development and utilization, and agricultural planting, so as to improve the industrial structure. upgrade can be promoted. On the other hand, Honduras has felt a strong sense of inequality when dealing with its “northern neighbor” for centuries. During his visit to China, President Castro praised China’s concepts of Community with a Shared Future for Humanity, Global Development Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Security Initiative and expressed active participation in them. He pointed out that the people of Honduras have high hopes for future cooperation between China and Honduras.
(Credits-China Media Group, Beijing)
Read the Latest India News Today on The Eastern Herald.
