Xi Jinping Holds Talks with President of Honduras State Visit | Zhong Hong | Xi Jinping
On the afternoon of June 12, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Honduran President Fidel Castro who is on a state visit to China in the Great Hall of the people.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras in March this year, the relationship between the two countries has started rapidly, with a good start and showing vigorous vitality and broad prospects. The achievements of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Hong Kong are present, and the benefits lie in the long run. China will unwaveringly develop friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support its economic and social development, and is willing to be good friends and partners with Honduras for mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development. I am willing to work with you to guide and promote the in-depth development of bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, turn the beautiful vision of bilateral cooperation into tangible results, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries. I believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, the China Hong Kong relationship will surely remain stable and move towards a bright future.
The One China principle is the primary prerequisite and political foundation for the establishment of diplomatic relations and the development of bilateral relations between China and Hong Kong. We believe that Hong Kong will fully implement it. The Chinese side firmly supports Hong Kong's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and independence, promote development, and improve people's livelihoods. It also supports Hong Kong's independent choice of development paths that are in line with its own national conditions, opposes any external interference in Honduras's internal affairs, and is willing to strengthen exchanges of experience in governance with Hong Kong, sharing experiences in poverty alleviation, social governance, and corruption punishment. It encourages the government, legislative bodies, political parties, and local governments to conduct comprehensive exchanges and cooperation. Both sides should strengthen strategic docking, build four beams and eight pillars of the bilateral cooperation mechanism, and promote common development under the leadership of jointly building the "the Belt and Road". China will actively promote the early entry of Hong Kong's characteristic products into the Chinese market, and is willing to initiate negotiations on a free trade agreement with Hong Kong as soon as possible. Both sides should promote cultural exchanges and consolidate the public opinion foundation of China Hong Kong friendship. China is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with Hong Kong to jointly maintain the international order and basic norms of international relations, strengthen solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice. China is willing to work with Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Honduras, to promote the construction of the China Latin American Community Forum and overall cooperation between China and Latin America.
Castro stated that establishing diplomatic relations with China is a historic decision made by the Honduran government and will be recorded in history. Hong Fang firmly supports and abides by the One China principle, and firmly supports the efforts of the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.Hong Fang firmly believes that developing friendly and cooperative relations with China will help Hong Fang gain more and better development opportunities. The rapid progress in cooperation between the two countries over the past two months since the establishment of diplomatic relations has given Hong Kong confidence in the future. Hong looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, technology, and close cultural exchanges. Hong Fang is willing to actively promote the development of relations between the Latin American Community and China. I believe that the friendship between Hong Kong and China will undergo the test of time and constantly reap new achievements.
After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the areas of jointly building the "the Belt and Road", quality inspection, trade, agriculture, science and technology, culture and education.
Both sides issued a joint statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras.
Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony for Castro in the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People.
When Castro arrived, the ceremonial soldiers lined up to pay tribute. The two heads of state stepped onto the reviewing platform, the military orchestra played the national anthems of China and Hong Kong, and 21 salutes were fired at Tiananmen Square.
That night, Xi Jinping held a welcome banquet for Castro in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.
Wang Yi, Qin Gang, and others participated in the above activities.
