Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on Saturday, commencing her six-day state visit to China.
This visit holds significant importance as it marks the first-ever visit by a Honduran president to the country. President Castro’s trip aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and foster cooperation between Honduras and China in various areas of mutual interest.
During her visit, she is expected to engage in high-level meetings and explore opportunities for bilateral partnerships in trade, investment, and other key sectors. This historic visit signifies the growing relations between the two nations and highlights the commitment to deepening their friendship and collaboration on the global stage.
The Guard of Honor of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) welcomed the Honduran president at the airport.
The visit comes less than three months after the two countries established diplomatic ties following Honduras’ decision to sever the so-called “diplomatic relations” with China’s Taiwan region and came soon after the opening of China’s Embassy in Honduras.
The Global Times has learned that the Honduran Embassy in China is expected to hold an opening ceremony during Castro’s visit to Beijing. Additionally, a China-Honduras trade and investment forum will be held during the delegation’s visit to facilitate discussions and connections between enterprises from both countries.
A number of Honduran officials such as Foreign Minister of Honduras Eduardo Enrique Reina, Honduras Minister of Economic Development Fredis Cerrato, as well as a delegation of Honduran entrepreneurs representing sectors such as telecommunications, energy, tobacco, coffee, and other agricultural products is accompanying the president’s visit.
Before arriving in Beijing, Castro had already carried out a series of visit schedules in Shanghai, including a visit to the headquarters of the New Development Bank of the BRICS and a meeting with the bank’s president, Dilma Rousseff.
Castro also officially proposed Honduras’ application to join the bank. The Global Times learned that Castro also visited Huawei’s research center in Shanghai.
Chinese experts said Castro’s visit to China is a significant moment since the two countries established diplomatic relations on March 26 and will inject new impetus to the fast-developing bilateral relations, which have already yielded early results and will bring about more benefits to the people.