BEIJING: China and Honduras have signed a joint communique in Beijing on the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The communique was signed by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina after they held talks yesterday.

According to the communique, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Honduras, in keeping with the interests and desires of the two peoples, had decided to recognise each other and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level, effective from the date of signature of this communique.

The two governments agreed to develop friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence, the communique said.

The government of Honduras recognised that there was only one China in the world, that the government of the People’s Republic of China was the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan was an inalienable part of China’s territory, the communique added.

The government of Honduras would sever “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan and no longer develop any official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan, it added.

The government of China appreciated Honduras’ move, the communique said.

Meanwhile, the flag of Honduras was removed yesterday from inside Taiwan’s foreign ministry in Taipei, a Reuters witness said.

The flags of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies were hung inside the ministry’s main entrance.

Earlier, the Honduran foreign ministry said in a post on Twitter: “The government of Honduras recognises the existence of just one China.

“The government of China is the only legitimate government that represents all of China ... Taiwan is an inseparable part of Chinese territory.”

 - Xinhua