“Since the US and China started the process toward the normalization of the bilateral relations in 1971, ‘Taiwan independence’ for me is a fantasy,” said Julio César Raudales, principal of José Cecilio del Valle University, in an online interview with GDToday from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on June 12.
“It is a wise decision for countries, such as Honduras, to recognize the one-China principle. Taiwan is a rich province of China,” Raudales noted.
China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March 2023 after the Central American country severed its so-called “diplomatic ties” with Taiwan. Less than three months afterwards, Honduran President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento started her first state visit to China on June 9.
During her visit, 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 that the Honduran side firmly believes friendly cooperation with China will bring Honduras more and better development opportunities.
“I went to China in 2019 to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. And I saw good opportunities for such countries as Honduras to participate in development projects and attract investment through the Belt and Road Initiative,” Raudales said.
He told GDToday that energy shortage and lack of infrastructure have been impeding the development of Honduras. “With the collaboration with China’s government and enterprises, we are looking forward to building more and better roads, airports and ports, in order to improve our capacity of production and commerce.”
According to a joint statement issued by China and Honduras on June 12, both sides agreed to strengthen policy coordination and connectivity of development planning, as well as deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields under the framework of Belt and Road cooperation.
“I have talked with people in the government. We are also making a plan to develop Honduras’s higher education, where we intend to establish joint ventures and other cooperative relations with Chinese universities,” Raudales said.
He elaborated that universities of the two countries can cooperate in teaching internship projects and student exchange programs. “For example, we’ll send Honduran teachers to Chinese universities teaching subjects such as Spanish and agriculture, while Chinese teachers specializing in technologies, commerce, Chinese teaching and other fields are welcome to lecture in Honduran universities.”
Raudales expects that with enhanced exchanges in different fields between the two sides, Honduras can learn from China’s development plans and institutions. “It’s important for Honduras that through diplomatic relationship with China, we can improve our economic development and facilitate social progress.”
Raudales furthered, “With strengthened ties between China and Honduras, the relationship between China and Latin America is in its best moment.”
Reporter | Lydia Liu
Poster designer | Lu Lu
Editor | Wing, Steven, Jerry
