The relationship between the two countries is like a "strong tree". Foreign Minister Hong: 77 days after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Honduran Embassy in China opened its embassy. Reina | Cooperation | Big Tree

On the morning of June 11th, the opening ceremony of the Embassy of Honduras in China was held at the Diplomatic Apartment outside Jianguomen in Beijing. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Honduras Foreign Minister Reina jointly unveiled the plaque for the embassy. Reina stated that holding the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Embassy in China during President Castro's state visit is of great significance. On March 26th of this year, China established ambassadorial level diplomatic relations with Honduras, which became the 182nd country to establish diplomatic relations with China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hong Kong over two months ago, the relationship between the two sides has developed rapidly. On the 10th, Castro visited the headquarters of the BRICS New Development Bank in Shanghai and officially submitted his application to join the bank. Honduras also stated that it will initiate negotiations on a free trade agreement with China as soon as possible. On the 11th, Honduran Foreign Minister Reina said in an exclusive interview with the Global Times reporter that Hong Kong plans to sign 19 memorandums and cooperation documents with China on the 12th, including a memorandum on the "the Belt and Road" cooperation. He told reporters that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 77 days ago, Hong Kong China relations have been like a "strong tree", rapidly and steadily developing and achieving positive results.

"Old friends" embrace each other

On the morning of the 11th, the opening ceremony of the Embassy of Honduras in China kicked off with the national anthems of China and Hong Kong. A Global Times reporter saw at the scene that the national flags of China and Hong Kong were arranged in a row. Officials from both sides exchanged warmly before the opening ceremony, and many "old friends" even hugged each other when they met.

In his speech, Qin Gang extended warm congratulations on behalf of the Chinese government. He stated that two months ago, China and Honduras officially established diplomatic relations on the basis of the One China principle, realizing the long-standing aspirations of the two peoples and ushering in a new era of China Hong Kong relations. In the past two months, both sides have firmly fulfilled their commitments to establish diplomatic relations and promoted a strong start in bilateral relations. The rapid development of China Hong Kong relations fully proves that adhering to the One China principle is an international righteousness, trend, and popular aspiration. The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hong Kong conforms to the historical trend and is in line with the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. He emphasized that China is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields with Hong Kong on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development, and build China Hong Kong relations into a new model of friendly cooperation between countries of different scales, national conditions, and systems.

Reina stated that establishing diplomatic relations with China has opened a new era of Honduras' relations with the world and opened the door to a prosperous and developing great country for the Hong Kong side. He reiterated that Hong Fang will firmly adhere to the One China principle.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hong Kong over two months ago, both sides have been actively promoting the construction of embassies. Hong Fang's construction work has received strong support and assistance from the Chinese side. The reporter learned at the scene that the Honduras side is determining the permanent location of the museum. The embassy staff stated that after the embassy opens, there will be an increase in staff, and that "China is so big, we will not have fewer diplomatic personnel stationed in China.".

During the opening ceremony on the 11th, Hong Kong Foreign Minister Reina stated in an interview with Global Times reporters that this trip is his second time in China. On March 26th, Reina came to China for the first time and jointly signed the Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations with Qin Gang. "In just 77 days since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has achieved tremendous development." Reina said, "I think what we are doing is very important. This time, many entrepreneurs and journalists have followed the President to China. The Hong Kong China relationship has grown like a strong tree, benefiting the people of both countries."

Wang Youming, Director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Academy of International Studies, stated in an interview with Global Times on the 11th that the words of the Honduran Foreign Minister were sincere. From the rapid development of bilateral relations, as well as the diplomatic etiquette, hospitality standards, and enthusiasm demonstrated by China in hosting the President of Honduras, it can be seen that China Hong Kong relations have strong demonstrative significance. Regardless of the size of the country, China sincerely and equally treats countries that have established diplomatic relations with us, and sincerely hopes to help them. This will have a great impact on countries that have not yet established diplomatic relations with China.

The memorandum of "the Belt and Road" will be signed

Currently, Honduras President Castro is on a 6-day state visit to China.

On the 11th, Hong Kong Foreign Minister Reina told Global Times reporters that Hong Kong and China will sign 19 memorandums of understanding and cooperation documents on the 12th, "which will reflect the positive progress of bilateral relations and the important achievements that will be achieved during this visit.".

Honduras President Castro's visit to China this time comes with great expectations. On the 9th, after arriving in Shanghai, Castro said, "I came with the expectations of the Honduran people for this visit to China. Recognizing the One China principle, establishing diplomatic relations with China, and cooperating with China can bring development opportunities to Honduras." That evening, while gazing at the towering buildings across the Huangpu River in the World Reception Hall, Castro exclaimed, "I hope that in the future, Honduras can achieve prosperity and development like Shanghai."

The Global Times reporter noticed that Castro's visit to China this time is very similar to Brazil's President Lula's visit to China in April, both of which first visited Shanghai, the most developed region in China. In Shanghai, Castro, like Lula, also chose to visit the New Development Bank of BRICS countries and Huawei Shanghai Research Center. On the 10th, Castro visited the headquarters of the New Development Bank. During a meeting with President Rousseff, Castro officially submitted Honduras' application to join the organization.

Since its establishment, the New Development Bank of the BRICS countries has approved over 90 projects with a total amount of 32 billion US dollars, providing tremendous support to developing countries in various fields. Bloomberg reported that more than 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kazakhstan, have been vying to apply to join the New Development Bank of the BRICS and the BRICS countries. In an interview on the 11th, Reina told Global Times reporters that Honduras also hopes to become a member of the BRICS countries.

Zhou Zhiwei, a researcher at the Latin American Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told Global Times on the 11th that the visit of the President of Honduras to China began just over two months after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hong Kong and China. This is an important indicator of China Hong Kong and even China Latin American relations, reflecting the strong willingness of Latin American countries to cooperate with China. It is also a reflection of the current view of Latin American countries towards China as an important external force that can promote the economic and social development of the region.

What attracted Honduras to China's side

The visit of the President of Honduras to China has also attracted great attention from the American media. ABC stated that as tensions between China and the United States intensify, China's strengthening of relations with Honduras demonstrates China's diplomatic victory, while also indicating that China's influence in Latin America is increasing.

For a long time, Honduras has been deeply tied to the United States in terms of its internal affairs, economy, and diplomacy. However, the deep involvement of the United States in the economy of Honduras has not brought development benefits to the local people. On the contrary, Honduras has a backward economic development, high external debt, and is also known as the "Banana Republic" by the United States. Before the establishment of diplomatic relations between Honduras and China, the United States had exerted various pressures and obstacles, but it was ultimately proven to be futile.

So, what exactly attracted Honduras to the Chinese side?However, Central American countries have not achieved their own development in cooperation with the United States. In recent years, Honduras has seen tangible improvements in the economic and livelihood of other Central American countries that have established diplomatic relations with China. The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean has issued a report showing that cooperation with China has a direct impact on the economic growth of Latin America. Obviously, boarding the high-speed train of China's development can drive domestic economic growth, which has become a consensus among Central American and Latin American countries. This is also the driving force for Honduras to establish diplomatic relations with China and rapidly develop relations with China.

On the 11th, the first China Honduras High level Entrepreneurs Exchange Conference was held in Beijing. During the exchange meeting, Honduras's Minister of Economic Development, Serato, stated in an interview with Global Times reporters that in just over 70 days since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Hong Kong and China have made rapid progress in the field of economy and trade. Honduras is expected to sign an agreement with China to advance the signing of bilateral free trade agreements.But now, more Honduran agricultural products will no longer need Taiwan as a "middleman" and can be sold more quickly and directly to Chinese Mainland, which means less cost, less time and broader opportunities.

[Global Times reporter Bai Yunyi, Chen Qingqing, Ding Yagi, Global Times Special Correspondent in Brazil Shao Shijun, Chen Kang, Global Times Special Correspondent Liu Yupeng]]