Honduras opens embassy in China after establishing diplomatic relations

Beijing, Jun 11 (EFE).- Honduras opened an embassy in Beijing on Sunday, three months after establishing diplomatic relations with China at the cost of its ties with Taiwan.

Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina and his Chinese counterpart, Qin Gang, inaugurated the embassy with the unveiling of a plaque in the presence of Honduran President Xiomara Castro.

In a brief address, Enrique Reina described the event as “historic” and highlighted “the important meetings at the highest level” that Castro has held since the start of her visit to China on Thursday, the Honduran government said on Twitter.

The foreign minster also confirmed that scientist Salvador Moncada would be Honduras’ first ambassador to China as announced by Castro before her visit.

“Establishing relations with the People’s Republic of China was a brave decision, it is also to recognize its efforts as a country to create better living conditions for millions of people. Scientist Salvador Moncada will be the first ambassador to China, and we know he will be able to represent us optimally,” he said.

The Honduran foreign minister added that he hoped to “move forward with negotiations for a free trade agreement” and “participate in China’s multilateral initiatives, such as the Belt and Road, and the recent global initiatives” of the Asian country.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said during the event that the rapid development of relations had proved that Honduras’ decision was the right one and in the interests of both countries.

Castro arrived on Saturday night in Beijing, where she is expected to meet her Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

The Honduran president began her visit to China in the city of Shanghai, where she formally requested to join the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB) in a meeting with the bank’s president, former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, on Saturday.

Castro is in China on a six-day official visit during which she will meet her Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, just three months after her country broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan to establish them with the Asian giant.

Honduras and China announced the establishment of diplomatic relations on Mar. 26, hours after the former officially cut the ties it had with Taiwan since 1941.

Taiwan now has 13 countries with which it maintains official diplomatic relations. Honduras is the ninth country since 2016 to cut ties with the island in favor of China. EFE

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