Chinese President Xi Jinping and Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento held talks in Beijing on Monday, marking the first state visit by a Honduran leader to China since the two countries established diplomatic relations in March this year.
The two leaders pledged to work together to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples.
“I believe that under joint efforts from the two sides, the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development, sailing into a bright future,” Xi said.
Castro said Honduras attaches great importance to developing ties with China and is willing to deepen cooperation with China in various fields and enhance coordination on regional and international issues.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents covering areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, health, culture, education and tourism.
They also exchanged views climate change and other global challenges and agreed to strengthen communication and collaboration within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.
Xi stressed that the one-China principle was the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment and development of bilateral ties between China and Honduras, and expressed his appreciation for Honduras’ firm adherence to it.
Castro reaffirmed that Honduras recognizes that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and that Honduras will continue to support China’s legitimate stance on issues concerning its core interests.
The historic meeting between the two heads of state took place less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic ties, fully demonstrating the great importance the two sides attach to enhancing ties, and their important consensus will inject strong impetus into the promotion of China-Honduras ties.