China, Honduras warm ties grow, free trade agreement in the making
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This comes after cooperation agreements were inked between the two friendly countries last month.
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Honduras Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina (L) and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang shake hands following the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 26, 2023 (AP)
China and Honduras launched talks to reach a free trade agreement on Monday as Beijing's ties with Central American countries continue to grow.
"A historic day," said the Honduran Economy Minister on Twitter.
"The Secretary of State in the Office of Economic Development, Abg. Fredis Cerrato, and the Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, Wang Wentao, launched the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement between China and Honduras," he said on the social media platform.
Read more: Honduras makes official request to join BRICS-led NDB
El Secretario de Estado en el Despacho de Desarrollo Económico, Abg. Fredis Cerrato, y el Ministro de Comercio de República Popular China, Wang Wentao, lanzaron las negociaciones del Tratado de Libre Comercio entre China y Honduras.
— SDE Honduras (@SDEHonduras) July 4, 2023
¡Día histórico! pic.twitter.com/hISgJsOaz2
China's Deputy Trade Minister will visit the country's capital Tegucigalpa July 6-8 to participate in trade talks, Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina said on Monday.
Formal diplomatic ties between China and Honduras were officially established last March just after the latter severed bilateral ties with Taiwan, which Beijing considers a main condition for friendly relations with other countries.
Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento to Beijing for their first-ever bilateral meeting.
The two parties signed around 17 cross-industry cooperation documents, including Belt and Road construction, economy, trade, quality inspection, agriculture, science and technology, and culture and education.
Agreements also saw China's approval of imports of Honduran bananas, coffee, and shrimp.
