In an exclusive interview with Chinese state media Global Times (GT) published on Sunday, Chinese diplomat Yu Bo, said that initial progress on establishing official diplomatic relations will allow the new Chinese embassy to open soon in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa.
New Chinese Embassy
Yu, who is leading Beijing’s team in Honduras, informed GT that a preparation team from China arrived in Tegucigalpa on 4 April to build the Chinese embassy, which he said was “a glorious mission” for China.
He added that since the two countries set up official relations last month, high-level officials from both sides have held frequent meetings and worked towards “fully advancing relevant preparations for the construction, as well as promoting bilateral exchanges.”
China's embassy building team sent to Tegucigalpa, #Honduras is carrying out related work in an orderly manner after meeting with Honduran officials. https://t.co/SRjHDNIaHg pic.twitter.com/ykM8LFaUnr
— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) April 9, 2023
Political Exchanges
Yu elaborated that, in less than two weeks, the Chinese side had met with Honduran “politicians at all levels and in all fields,” including ruling party head and presidential adviser Manuel Zelaya, Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina, Secretary of Economic Development Pedro Barquero, and Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock Laura Suazo.
Such engagement “demonstrates the high level of importance that the Honduran government places on its relationship with China,” the Counsellor for Latin American Affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Adherence to One-China Principle
The diplomat affirmed that during these meetings, Honduras had “acknowledged and promised to adhere to the one-China principle” and assured that “they will no longer have any official relations or conduct any official exchanges with Taiwan.”
Last month, the two countries established diplomatic relations after the Latin American country officially switched relations from Taiwan, following the self-governing island’s refusal to double its financial aid package.
Taiwan and Honduras enjoyed diplomatic ties for more than eight decades, during which, it was among the only 14 countries that officially maintained relations with Taiwan, which China considers to be part of its territory to be reunified by force, if necessary.