China and Honduras on Tuesday started negotiations on a free trade agreement.

On behalf of the two governments, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and Honduran Minister of Economic Development Fredis Cerrato announced the launch of China-Honduras free trade agreement negotiations via video.

China and Honduras established diplomatic relations on March 26, 2023, with economic and trade cooperation between the two countries entering a new stage.

After the meeting between the two heads of state on June 12, the two sides issued a joint statement announcing a consensus on negotiating a free trade agreement between the two countries.

The launch of negotiations is conducive to deepen practical cooperation in economy and trade between China and Honduras, and will further provide impetus for improving the quality and standards of bilateral trade, as well as enhancing investment and cooperation in various areas.

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The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday also hailed the launch of negotiations over a free trade agreement between China and Honduras, saying it is the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and fully reflects the positive willingness of both sides to deepen practical cooperation.

"Since diplomatic relations were established, China and Honduras show strong momentum of development in bilateral relations, with practical cooperation in various areas fully expanding," Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the ministry, said at a daily press briefing.

China stands ready to work with Honduras to tap cooperation potential and push forward mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides to yield more fruit, aiming to create a better future for China-Honduras relations, Mao added.

(Cover via CFP)