On the morning of March 26, 2023, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Foreign Minister of Honduras Eduardo Enrique Reina jointly met the press after their talks in Beijing.

Qin Gang said that he and Foreign Minister Reina just signed the Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras on behalf of their respective governments. In this Communiqué, Honduras recognizes that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Honduras shall sever so-called “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan as of this day and undertakes that it shall no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan. The Government of the People’s Republic of China appreciates this position of the Government of the Republic of Honduras.

Qin Gang stressed that the one-China principle is a prevailing consensus of the international community and a basic norm in international relations. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971 made this clear. Honduras chooses to stand with 181 countries in the world, and made the political decision to recognize and undertake to adhere to the one-China principle and establish diplomatic relations with China without any precondition, which fully serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the country and its people. This once again fully proves that standing up for the one-China principle is a correct choice that follows international justice and meets the trend of the times. It has the overwhelming support of the international community and represents the prevailing trend of the world. We have this stern warning for the Taiwan authorities that “Taiwan independence” separatist activities go against the will and interests of the Chinese nation, reverse the course of history, and will be a dead end.

Qin Gang pointed out that China-Honduras relations have opened a new chapter today. After the establishment of diplomatic relations, China stands ready to work with Honduras on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development to lose no time to actively carry out friendly exchanges at all levels and practical cooperation in various fields, so as to benefit the two countries and two peoples. China welcomes President Xiomara Castro’s visit to China at an early date and invites Honduras to organize a delegation of entrepreneurs to China to discuss cooperation in trade, tourism investment and more. China-Honduras relations have set sail. He expressed confidence that with the joint efforts of the two sides, the ship of the China-Honduras friendship will surely ride the wind and cleave the waves, and sail toward a bright future with the sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.

Reina said that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Honduras and China is a historic step that has ushered in a new era for the benefit of the people of Honduras and China. Honduras recognizes that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Honduras is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as finance, trade, infrastructure, science and technology, culture and tourism, and increase communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks. Honduras stays committed to safeguarding national sovereignty and dignity, the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and the people’s right to self-determination, and the establishment of diplomatic relations with China is in line with the above principles. He thanked the Chinese side for inviting President Castro to visit China and expressed confidence that this visit will benefit the two peoples and also all mankind.