STORY: Xi, Xiomara Castro chart course for China-Honduras ties at historic meeting
DATELINE: June 13, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:58
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: POLITICS

STORYLINE:

STANDUP 1 (English): ZHENG MINGDA, Xinhua correspondent
"Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held talks with Honduran President Xiomara Castro, who is paying a state visit to China from June 9 to 14.
China and Honduras formally established diplomatic relations on March 26, 2023, which opened a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations."

Castro is the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China.

President Xi pledged to work with Honduras to steer the bilateral relationship toward greater development from a strategic and long-term perspective and to turn their vision of cooperation into tangible results for the greater benefit of the two peoples.

Xi said, "I believe that under joint efforts from the two sides, the China-Honduras relationship will experience sound and steady development, sailing into a bright future."

For her part, Castro said Honduras firmly supports and abides by the one-China principle, as well as efforts from the Chinese government to realize national reunification, and Honduras deeply admires China's development achievements under the strong leadership of President Xi.

According to a joint communique released after the conclusion of the talks, China and Honduras have agreed to strengthen political guidance, promote exchanges at all levels, strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and be good friends and partners that have mutual respect, equality, mutual benefits and common development.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): CAI WEI, Head of the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry
"President Castro's visit is a historic trip that builds friendship and enhances mutual trust. The important consensus reached by the two heads of state will surely lead the new China-Honduras relations to grow vigorously and bear fruit. China-Honduras relations will surely make steady progress toward a bright future."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)