In just 77 days after the establishment of Honduras-China diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have seen tremendous development, and have been growing like “a robust tree” benefiting the people of both sides. The two countries are expected to sign on Monday 19 memorandums and documents addressing cooperation including the Belt and Road memorandum, Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Sunday.
 
“This is my second visit to China, and this time we were able to visit Shanghai. I believe what we are doing is very important,” Reina told the Global Times as Honduras officially inaugurated its embassy in Beijing on Sunday.  
 

Photo: Chen Qingqing/GT

The inauguration of the Honduran Embassy in China holds great significance, and Honduras reiterates that it upholds the one-China principle and is looking forward to cooperating with China in trade and business, Belt and Road and Global Development Initiatives, the Honduran diplomat said during the embassy inauguration ceremony.
 
We will sign 19 memorandums and documents including one memorandum about the cooperation under the Belt and Road initiative, reflecting the positive progress of the bilateral relations. And significant results will be achieved during this visit, Reina told the Global Times.
 
The inauguration ceremony was held during a six-day state visit by Honduran President Xiomara Castro to China, which also marks the first visit to the country by a Honduran president.
 
Reina also attended the inauguration of the Chinese Embassy in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, on June 5 (local time), and he said he believes that with the presence of each embassy, there will be new opportunities and capabilities to enhance the cooperation between the two countries.
 
“I think we are working very fast and very strong in the strain of our relation with China. And it's very important for us to recognize the importance of principle of one-and-sole China. I think that is very important to deepen this relationship between the two countries,” he said.
 
From this visit, a lot of important decisions will be made by the top leaders of the two countries that will take the Honduras-China relations into a new era, and also the signing of several documents will improve the opportunity for cooperation between the two sides, Reina said.
 
The cooperation between the two sides will cover various areas including trade, cultural exchanges and education. China’s is learning more about Honduras, while Honduras is learning more about China, Reina noted.
 
Reina also revealed that in early July, a Chinese deputy minister of commerce is expected to visit Honduras to promote the signing of a free trade agreement.
 
President of Honduras Xiomara Castro formally requested the country's admission to the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB) after she visited the headquarters of the bank in Shanghai on Saturday. She also visited a Huawei research center on the same day, highlighting pragmatic cooperation during her trip to China.

Reina also noted that Honduras hopes to be part of the BRICS. “I think there's a new opportunity for financial issues that Honduras will be seen as a new opportunity for projects in development, in either in the social or economic way” that will improve the people’s livelihoods, Reina said.
 
When it comes to the influence of the US on Honduras and other Central American countries amid the tense US-China rivalry, the Honduran foreign minister said the decision of Honduras to recognize the one-China principle is a sovereign decision.
 
“We don't see that this is an issue that will come or have any problem that we maintain good relations with the US and we will strengthen and come together for our future relations with China,” he said.