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Exclusive: Honduran FM says bilateral ties development filled with advantages, opportunities
Updated 10:10, 30-Mar-2023
CGTN
01:21

The development of China-Honduras relations is filled with advantages and opportunities and Honduras will join hands with China to make contributions to deepening bilateral relations, Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina said on Tuesday.

Reina made the remarks during an exclusive interview with CGTN, expressing high expectations for the future development of China-Honduras relations.

China and Honduras established diplomatic relations on March 26 and the two governments agreed to develop friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence.

An important, historical visit

Reina hailed his recent visit to Beijing as "important" and "historic," saying it fully realizes the vision of Honduran President Xiomara Castro, which is to seek to create more open international relations for Honduras and greater participation in the development of a multipolar world.

China plays a vital role in promoting multilateralism, so it is beneficial to strengthen ties with China, he said.

Reina said he had held talks with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng to strengthen cooperation and create the possibility of more fruitful results, adding that President Castro's visit to China can be facilitated as soon as possible.

Promoting the visit of Honduran business groups to China at the right time was also mentioned, to better understand the situation of the import and export fields of both sides, and enable China to better understand the Honduras market.

Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina is in an exclusive interview with CGTN, March 28, 2023. /CGTN
Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina is in an exclusive interview with CGTN, March 28, 2023. /CGTN

Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina is in an exclusive interview with CGTN, March 28, 2023. /CGTN

A practical choice in line with trend

Establishing diplomatic relations with China at this time is a practical choice in line with the general trend as China is not only very prominent in the field of trade and investment, but also has an important voice in international organizations, Reina said.

"That's why we comply with the international fact. Because most members of the international community regard China as an important force," said the foreign minister.

Noting that Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities keep expanding the space for international activities and seeking "Taiwan independence" since taking office, Reina said Honduras has made a firm decision to recognize the one-China principle.

"What's important is that Honduras supports the one-China principle on the international stage, and now we need to move forward in this direction," he added.

Reina also expressed hope to join in several initiatives China has proposed to seek mutual benefit, saying the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative reflected China's diplomatic philosophy which is consistent with the basic norms governing international relations. And Honduras is considering ways to join these initiatives, Reina said.

High expectations for the future

Looking forward to the future development of China-Honduras relations, Reina said Honduras will eye on communication with other regions in the world, especially Asia.

China is a major participator in international affairs, Reina said, adding that the Honduran government is committed to seeking interest for its people and strengthening cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, culture and society with China to promote mutual benefit between the two countries.

To strengthen bilateral relations, groups of members of the National Congress of Honduras will visit China to learn about China's legislative system, understand the system and path followed by China to achieve poverty alleviation, become more developed, and become a country with more international influence, said Reina.

Noting that CGTN Español has reached cooperation with Canal 8, the national television of Honduras, the foreign minister said media cooperation is the best way to understand each other. Through these exchanges, the Honduran people can learn more about Chinese culture, the reality of China and how the Chinese people were able to overcome many great challenges in history to build this great country. 

Media cooperation is very positive for strengthening the great brotherhood between China and Honduras, and for the future development of relations between the two countries, said Reina.

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