Opinions
2023.06.08 12:56 GMT+8

Castro's visit will have a great impact on Central America

Updated 2023.06.08 12:56 GMT+8
Olman Manzano

Yu Bo (L), charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Honduras, and Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina inaugurate the opening of the Chinese embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, June 5, 2023. /Xinhua

Editor's note: Olman Manzano, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is the chief editor of the newspaper La Tribuna, who is in charge of the digital area. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The recent opening of the Chinese Embassy in Honduras has aroused a series of expectations, in the fields of politics, investment, and development for this Central American country that is pleased to have a robust friendship with a broad sense of solidarity with China.

The inauguration of the embassy by the Honduran authorities and their Chinese counterparts represents strong ties at the beginning of a long and strong friendship that hopes to be further strengthened with the trip of Honduran President Xiomara Castro, who together with an important delegation will visit China from June 9 to 14.

The expectations are wide since it is about getting closer to one of the main economic powers in the world with which Honduras already had an important commercial exchange. Even before establishing ties on March 26, the Central American country has severed ties with China's Taiwan region and headed for the correct path of history, acknowledging that Taiwan has always been an inalienable part of China's territory.

As its relationship with China started off on the right foot, Honduras is willing to strengthen cooperation with the world's second-largest economy on finance, trade, infrastructure, science and technology, culture and tourism, and maintain closer communication and coordination under multilateral frameworks, Foreign Minister of Honduras Eduardo Enrique Reina said.

There are already rounds of talks about the construction of four major road and port infrastructure projects in Honduras, which will facilitate the development and boom of the country's maritime transport.

Honduras' National Port Company and China Harbor Engineering Company recently signed a memorandum of understanding for the execution of the studies prior to the construction of those projects.

This aerial photo shows a view of the National Stadium in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, March 26, 2023. /Xinhua

The agreement between both China and Honduras includes the construction of a bridge over the Alvarado lagoon at the exit of Puerto Cortes port in the north of the country.

The agreement also contemplates the expansion of 50 kilometers to four lanes of a highway from the municipality of Goascoran to San Lorenzo, which will give the possibility of uniting the Pacific and the Atlantic in a faster and more efficient way.

Reportedly, it is estimated that this investment will involve $82 million and lastly, they will improve and expand the port of San Lorenzo in southern Honduras, including the expansion of a 300-meter pier, port access controls, dredging of the maneuvering basin and access channel, among others, at a cost of $150 million.

This is the tip of the iceberg since during the visit of President Castro, it is expected that together with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, agreements and memorandums of understanding would be signed for cooperation that will open doors in investment, development projects, energy, ports, telecommunications and other issues related to trade, employment, and skills for the Honduran people.

Subsequently, Honduras will work on negotiating a free trade agreement with China in order to open up a range of possibilities, not only in the commercial area, but also in finance, infrastructure, energy, as well as technology, science, education, and culture.

Undoubtedly, this will bring about positive impacts in Honduras and will be a mirror for other countries in the region which will see how convenient it is to have diplomatic relations with the Asian giant, which envisions a fruitful win-win cooperation.

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