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Honduran president begins first visit to China since breaking off ties with Taiwan

In this photo released by China’s Xinhua News Agency, Honduras’ President Xiomara Castro waves as she arrives in Shanghai, China, Friday, June 9, 2023. Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived in Shanghai on Friday on her first visit since China established ties with Honduras, pulling it away from former diplomatic ally Taiwan. (Gao Feng/Xinhua via AP)

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived in Shanghai on Friday on her first visit since China established ties with her nation, pulling it away from former diplomatic ally Taiwan.

Castro will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping “to jointly plan for the future development” of ties, China’s official Xinhua News Agency said. She will also attend the inauguration of Honduras’ embassy in Beijing, according to state media.

Honduras established formal relations with China in March, becoming the latest in a string of countries to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan. China sees self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province, to be retaken by force if necessary, and prohibits its own diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei.

Beijing has intensified its battle to win away Taiwan’s diplomatic allies since independence-leaning Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016. Since then, China has managed to lure away nine of Taiwan’s former partners with a campaign involving billions of dollars of investments.

Beijing’s latest victory comes as tensions have risen with the United States in recent months, including over China’s increasing assertiveness toward Taiwan and growing influence in Latin America.

“Taiwan is always at the core of U.S.-China tensions,” said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore who focuses on Greater China governance. “(President) Xi Jinping and his team will … spare no efforts, particularly on Taiwan.”

China sees pulling diplomatic allies away from Taiwan as worthwhile regardless of the cost, Wu added. Beijing also sees the efforts as a way to counteract increasingly frequent trips by European and U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan. Such visits, including a visit last August by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, usually trigger angry responses from Beijing.

Taiwan has only 13 diplomatic partners left: Belize, Paraguay and Guatemala in Latin America, Vatican City, Eswatini in southern Africa, and several nations in the Caribbean and South Pacific.

When Honduras considered the switch to China, its government said it wanted new investment and less debt. The country’s foreign minister, Eduardo Enrique Reina, told local media in March that Honduras had asked Taiwan to renegotiate debt worth $600 million and for Taipei to double its annual aid to Honduras. Taiwan said it had continuously cooperated with Honduras to address the nation’s needs.

Experts say Honduras is eyeing large investments from China in infrastructure projects including a new hydroelectric dam, part of a larger plan to construct three dams along the Patuca River. China already invested almost $300 million in the first dam, inaugurated in January 2021.

Castro’s first stop on her six-day visit to China -– the financial hub of Shanghai -– is another indication the two countries will likely announce fresh economic deals. She is to spend two days in Shanghai, during which she is to visit a Huawei research center and the headquarters of the New Development Bank -– a project by the BRICS developing nations -– before going to Beijing, according to Phoenix TV.

Honduran President Headed to China in First Trip After Ties Established

FILE PHOTO: Honduras President Xiomara Castro delivers a speech during a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Honduran Air Force at the Hernan Acosta Air Base in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 21, 2023. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduran President Xiomara Castro is set to travel this week to China, her foreign minister said on Monday, the leftist leader's first visit to the Asian giant after establishing formal diplomatic relations with it in March.

Castro's trip marks the latest step in the two nations' new relationship, after her government ditched ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing.

Foreign Minister Enrique Reina told reporters at an event inaugurating China's embassy in Tegucigalpa that Castro will travel on Tuesday this week.

Later on Monday, Castro's press office tweeted that the official visit would take place from this coming Friday to Wednesday of next week.

Castro's trip to the world's second-biggest economy stemmed from an invitation from her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Honduran state media outlet Poder Popular wrote in story published earlier on Monday.

Honduras and China launched diplomatic relations after Castro cut ties with Taiwan in a bid for more investment and jobs from the much larger Chinese economy.

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Last month, Reina announced that both sides will "soon" begin trade talks, with coffee set to be the first Honduran export to the massive Chinese consumer market.

The minister added on Monday that several "cooperation agreements" would be signed, but did not specify further.

Castro's government is also seeking deals with China to lighten the nation's debt burden.

(Reporting by Gustavo Palencia; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Nick Zieminski)

Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters .

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Tags: international trade , Asia , Honduras

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Honduran president set to visit China after establishing ties

President Xiomara Castro continues to expand Honduras’s relations with Beijing as the Central American country seeks an economic boost.

The administration of Honduran President Xiomara Castro has announced that she will travel to China later this week as the Latin American country seeks stronger ties with Beijing.

“At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, I will visit on a special mission with [Foreign Minister Enrique Reina] the People’s Republic of China between June 9 and 13,” Castro said in a Twitter post on Monday. “The refoundation of Honduras demands new political, scientific, technical, commercial and cultural horizons.”

Keep reading

China says no conditions on honduras diplomatic deal, taiwan welcomes czech delegation after honduras shifts allegiance, honduras cuts ties with taiwan, opens relations with china.

The trip signifies China’s growing influence in Central America, where countries such as Honduras have sought to balance relations with the United States against their desire for heightened economic engagement with Beijing.

Castro’s visit also comes several months after Honduras established diplomatic ties with China, thereby ending its formal relationship with Taiwan.

A invitación del presidente Xi Jinping visitaré con misión especial, @EnriqueReinaHN , la República Popular China entre 9 al 14 de junio 2023. La refundación de Honduras demanda nuevos horizontes políticos, científicos, técnicos, comerciales, y culturales. — Xiomara Castro de Zelaya (@XiomaraCastroZ) June 5, 2023

China does not allow countries to maintain formal relations with both Taiwan and Beijing, and China’s economic heft has induced a number of Central American countries to move away from the island  in pursuit of stronger ties with China.

Costa Rica formalised relations with Beijing in 2007. Panama, El Salvador, Nicaragua , and the Dominican Republic have since 2017 done the same. The growing number of countries making the switch has left Taiwan increasingly isolated: It maintains official relations with just 13 countries .

The United States has expressed concern over China’s increasing sway over Central America, where the US has historically exerted influence as the region’s sole superpower.

Central American nations, however, have shown little interest in choosing sides between the US and China, the world’s first and second largest economies.

Reina has said that coffee would be the first Honduran export to the Chinese market . He added on Monday that a number of “cooperation agreements” would be signed during Castro’s trip.

The decision to sever ties with Taiwan reportedly came after the island rebuffed a request from Honduras for a $2.5bn loan to help address debt issues.

Following the establishment of formal ties with Honduras in March, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning denied that any pre-conditions , such as economic assistance, were attached to the move, stating that diplomatic relations “are not something for trade”.

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Honduran president begins first visit to China since breaking off ties with Taiwan

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived in Shanghai on Friday on her first visit since China established ties with her nation, pulling it away from former diplomatic ally Taiwan.

Castro will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping “to jointly plan for the future development” of ties, China’s official Xinhua News Agency said. She will also attend the inauguration of Honduras’ embassy in Beijing, according to state media.

Honduras established formal relations with China in March, becoming the latest in a string of countries to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan. China sees self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province, to be retaken by force if necessary, and prohibits its own diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei.

Beijing has intensified its battle to win away Taiwan's diplomatic allies since independence-leaning Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016. Since then, China has managed to lure away nine of Taiwan’s former partners with a campaign involving billions of dollars of investments.

Beijing’s latest victory comes as tensions have risen with the United States in recent months, including over China’s increasing assertiveness toward Taiwan and growing influence in Latin America.

“Taiwan is always at the core of U.S.-China tensions,” said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore who focuses on Greater China governance. “(President) Xi Jinping and his team will … spare no efforts, particularly on Taiwan.”

China sees pulling diplomatic allies away from Taiwan as worthwhile regardless of the cost, Wu added. Beijing also sees the efforts as a way to counteract increasingly frequent trips by European and U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan. Such visits, including a visit last August by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, usually trigger angry responses from Beijing.

Taiwan has only 13 diplomatic partners left: Belize, Paraguay and Guatemala in Latin America, Vatican City, Eswatini in southern Africa, and several nations in the Caribbean and South Pacific.

When Honduras considered the switch to China, its government said it wanted new investment and less debt. The country’s foreign minister, Eduardo Enrique Reina, told local media in March that Honduras had asked Taiwan to renegotiate debt worth $600 million and for Taipei to double its annual aid to Honduras. Taiwan said it had continuously cooperated with Honduras to address the nation’s needs.

Experts say Honduras is eyeing large investments from China in infrastructure projects including a new hydroelectric dam, part of a larger plan to construct three dams along the Patuca River. China already invested almost $300 million in the first dam, inaugurated in January 2021.

Castro’s first stop on her six-day visit to China -– the financial hub of Shanghai -– is another indication the two countries will likely announce fresh economic deals. She is to spend two days in Shanghai, during which she is to visit a Huawei research center and the headquarters of the New Development Bank -– a project by the BRICS developing nations -– before going to Beijing, according to Phoenix TV.

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Honduras president makes first visit to China since breaking ties with Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived in Shanghai on Friday on her first visit since China established ties with her nation, pulling it away from former diplomatic ally Taiwan.

Castro will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping “to jointly plan for the future development” of ties, China’s official Xinhua News Agency said. She will also attend the inauguration of Honduras’ embassy in Beijing, according to state media.

READ MORE: Honduras establishes ties with China after break from Taiwan

Honduras established formal relations with China in March, becoming the latest in a string of countries to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan. China sees self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province, to be retaken by force if necessary, and prohibits its own diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei.

Beijing has intensified its battle to win away Taiwan's diplomatic allies since independence-leaning Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016. Since then, China has managed to lure away nine of Taiwan’s former partners with a campaign involving billions of dollars of investments.

Beijing’s latest victory comes as tensions have risen with the United States in recent months, including over China’s increasing assertiveness toward Taiwan and growing influence in Latin America.

“Taiwan is always at the core of U.S.-China tensions,” said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore who focuses on Greater China governance. “(President) Xi Jinping and his team will … spare no efforts, particularly on Taiwan.”

China sees pulling diplomatic allies away from Taiwan as worthwhile regardless of the cost, Wu added. Beijing also sees the efforts as a way to counteract increasingly frequent trips by European and U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan. Such visits, including a visit last August by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, usually trigger angry responses from Beijing.

Taiwan has only 13 diplomatic partners left: Belize, Paraguay and Guatemala in Latin America, Vatican City, Eswatini in southern Africa, and several nations in the Caribbean and South Pacific.

When Honduras considered the switch to China, its government said it wanted new investment and less debt. The country’s foreign minister, Eduardo Enrique Reina, told local media in March that Honduras had asked Taiwan to renegotiate debt worth $600 million and for Taipei to double its annual aid to Honduras. Taiwan said it had continuously cooperated with Honduras to address the nation’s needs.

Experts say Honduras is eyeing large investments from China in infrastructure projects including a new hydroelectric dam, part of a larger plan to construct three dams along the Patuca River. China already invested almost $300 million in the first dam, inaugurated in January 2021.

Castro’s first stop on her six-day visit to China -– the financial hub of Shanghai -– is another indication the two countries will likely announce fresh economic deals. She is to spend two days in Shanghai, during which she is to visit a Huawei research center and the headquarters of the New Development Bank -– a project by the BRICS developing nations -– before going to Beijing, according to Phoenix TV.

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Honduran president headed to China in first trip after ties established

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

XIOMARA CASTRO. Honduras President Xiomara Castro delivers a speech in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 21, 2023.

Fredy Rodriguez/Reuters

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduran President Xiomara Castro is set to travel this week to China, her foreign minister said on Monday, June 5, the leftist leader’s first visit to the Asian giant after establishing formal diplomatic relations with it in March.

Castro’s trip marks the latest step in the two nations’ new relationship, after her government ditched ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing.

Foreign Minister Enrique Reina told reporters at an event inaugurating China’s embassy in Tegucigalpa that Castro will travel on Tuesday this week.

Later on Monday, Castro’s press office tweeted that the official visit would take place from this coming Friday to Wednesday of next week.

Castro’s trip to the world’s second-biggest economy stemmed from an invitation from her Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, Honduran state media outlet Poder Popular wrote in story published earlier on Monday.

Honduras and China launched diplomatic relations after Castro cut ties with Taiwan in a bid for more investment and jobs from the much larger Chinese economy.

Last month, Reina announced that both sides will “soon” begin trade talks, with coffee set to be the first Honduran export to the massive Chinese consumer market.

The minister added on Monday that several “cooperation agreements” would be signed, but did not specify further.

Castro’s government is also seeking deals with China to lighten the nation’s debt burden. – Rappler.com

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Honduran president to make 1st China visit since cutting Taiwan ties

Honduran President Xiomara Castro will begin a six-day state visit to China later this week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, her first trip to Beijing since the Central American country switched its diplomatic recognition from Taipei in March.

Castro's visit from Friday at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping comes after Honduras' move left the number of countries that officially recognize the self-ruled democratic island at a record-low 13.

On Monday, China opened its embassy in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa, with Yu Bo, its charge d'affaires, noting the two countries have accelerated cooperation in economic areas less than three months after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina said at an inauguration ceremony for the embassy that Honduras looks forward to jointly promoting cooperation on trade with China to improve infrastructure, according to Xinhua.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday that Xi and Castro will "hold a historic meeting and jointly chart and guide the future development of bilateral ties."

"China looks forward to working with Honduras to deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation, enhance friendship and promote the sustained and steady growth of bilateral relations through this important visit," he said.

Wang said Tuesday Beijing would facilitate the launch of the Honduran Embassy in China.

Communist-led China and Taiwan have been separately governed since they split in 1949 due to a civil war. Beijing regards the island as a renegade province to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

The 13 states that still maintain diplomatic relations with Taipei are the Vatican, the Pacific islands of Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands, the African country of Eswatini, as well as Guatemala, Paraguay, Haiti, Belize, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Latin American and Caribbean regions.

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Honduras' Castro to visit China after cutting Taiwan ties

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Reporting by Gustavo Palencia; Additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista in Beijing; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle and Liz Lee; Editing by Anthony Esposito, Sandra Maler and Bernadette Baum

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Honduran president to visit China

CGTN | Updated: 2023-06-07 08:31

Honduran President Xiomara Castro will pay a state visit to China from June 9 to 14, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday.

The Honduran president also announced her upcoming China trip in a Twitter post, saying "The refounding of Honduras demands new political, scientific, technical, commercial and cultural horizons."

Castro will be the first Honduran president to visit China after the two countries established formal diplomatic relations in March.

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Honduras’ President Xiomara Castro waves during the swearing-in ceremony for Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro in Bogota, Colombia, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. Castro has flown to China on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, to meet with President Xi Jinping.

• Fernando Vergara, File / AP Photo
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In this photo released by China’s Xinhua News Agency, Honduras’ President Xiomara Castro waves as she arrives in Shanghai, China, Friday, June 9, 2023. Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived in Shanghai on Friday on her first visit since China established ties with Honduras, pulling it away from former diplomatic ally Taiwan.

• Xinhua via AP / Gao Feng

Honduran president begins first visit to China since breaking off ties with Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived in Shanghai on Friday on her first visit since China established ties with her nation, pulling it away from former diplomatic ally Taiwan.

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Castro will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping “to jointly plan for the future development” of ties, China’s official Xinhua News Agency said. She will also attend the inauguration of Honduras’ embassy in Beijing, according to state media.

Honduras established formal relations with China in March, becoming the latest in a string of countries to break diplomatic ties with Taiwan. China sees self-governed Taiwan as a breakaway province, to be retaken by force if necessary, and prohibits its own diplomatic partners from having formal ties with Taipei.

Beijing has intensified its battle to win away Taiwan’s diplomatic allies since independence-leaning Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016. Since then, China has managed to lure away nine of Taiwan’s former partners with a campaign involving billions of dollars of investments.

Beijing’s latest victory comes as tensions have risen with the United States in recent months, including over China’s increasing assertiveness toward Taiwan and growing influence in Latin America.

“Taiwan is always at the core of U.S.-China tensions,” said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore who focuses on Greater China governance. “(President) Xi Jinping and his team will … spare no efforts, particularly on Taiwan.”

China sees pulling diplomatic allies away from Taiwan as worthwhile regardless of the cost, Wu added. Beijing also sees the efforts as a way to counteract increasingly frequent trips by European and U.S. lawmakers to Taiwan. Such visits, including a visit last August by former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, usually trigger angry responses from Beijing.

Taiwan has only 13 diplomatic partners left: Belize, Paraguay and Guatemala in Latin America, Vatican City, Eswatini in southern Africa, and several nations in the Caribbean and South Pacific.

When Honduras considered the switch to China, its government said it wanted new investment and less debt. The country’s foreign minister, Eduardo Enrique Reina, told local media in March that Honduras had asked Taiwan to renegotiate debt worth $600 million and for Taipei to double its annual aid to Honduras. Taiwan said it had continuously cooperated with Honduras to address the nation’s needs.

Experts say Honduras is eyeing large investments from China in infrastructure projects including a new hydroelectric dam, part of a larger plan to construct three dams along the Patuca River. China already invested almost $300 million in the first dam, inaugurated in January 2021.

Castro’s first stop on her six-day visit to China -– the financial hub of Shanghai -– is another indication the two countries will likely announce fresh economic deals. She is to spend two days in Shanghai, during which she is to visit a Huawei research center and the headquarters of the New Development Bank -– a project by the BRICS developing nations -– before going to Beijing, according to Phoenix TV.

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Honduran president to visit China

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2023-06-07 17:54:30

BEIJING, June 7 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Honduras Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento will pay a state visit to China from June 9 to 14, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced Wednesday.

In response to a question concerning the visit, Wang Wenbin, another foreign ministry spokesperson, told a press briefing that China looks forward to working with Honduras to take this visit as an opportunity to deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation, enhance friendship and promote the steady and sustained growth of China-Honduras relations.

This is the Honduran president's first state visit to China, and the two heads of state will hold a historic meeting to jointly plan for and lead the future development of China-Honduras relations, Wang said.

China and Honduras formally established diplomatic relations on March 26, 2023, which opened a new chapter in the history of bilateral relations, Wang noted.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than two months ago, China and Honduras have actively fulfilled their commitments on establishing diplomatic ties, coordinated with a sense of urgency, and promoted the rapid start of bilateral relations with the principles and goals of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development, Wang said. ■

Global Times reporter following Australia and Japan issues, also with a focus on social issues and overseas studies.

National flags of China, Honduras Photo: CFP

The overseas Chinese community in Honduras has longed for the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Honduras ...

Washington engages in opportunistic and adventuristic strategy to back up the Taiwan secessionist forces. The two will only ...

The delegation from Honduras has paid visits to the Museum of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the ...

• Honduran national congress president to visit China

BEIJING, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Luis Redondo, president of the National Congress of Honduras, will lead a delegation to visit China from Dec. 4 to 9 at the invitation of Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Enditem

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Honduran president to visit China

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Honduran President Xiomara Castro is set to begin a state visit to China on June 9.

The trip comes less than three months after Honduras and China formally established diplomatic relations.

CGTN’s Alasdair Baverstock reports.

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Honduran president to visit China

Honduran President Xiomara Castro will pay a state visit to China starting from Friday, the first such visit to be paid by the president of the Central American country.

The six-day visit, aimed at further boosting the newly established diplomatic ties, was announced by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, just two days after the inauguration of the Chinese embassy in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular news briefing on Wednesday that the heads of state of the two countries will have a "historic meeting" to jointly plan and lead the future development of bilateral ties.

China hopes to work with Honduras to take the visit as an opportunity to deepen mutual trust, expand cooperation, enhance friendship and achieve steady growth of their ties, Wang said.

The establishment of diplomatic relations has ushered in "a brand-new chapter in history" for ties between China and Honduras, the spokesman said.

He said the two countries have worked actively to deliver on their commitments and have lost no time to conduct "full coordination".

Following the principles of, and aiming for mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development, China and Honduras have promoted the rapid development of bilateral ties, Wang said.

Honduras severed its "diplomatic relations" with China's Taiwan region and established diplomatic relations with China in late March.

Since then, China has repeatedly voiced its welcome for a visit by Castro as soon as possible, and said it hopes to strengthen high-level exchanges and promote cooperation in various fields with the Central American country.

Yu Bo, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Honduras, told reporters at the embassy's inauguration ceremony that in less than three months, the two countries have accelerated coordination and cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, agriculture, science and technology, culture, education and media.

He said that approval is being processed for imports of Honduran products, including melons and coffee to China, and these "will soon appear on the dining tables of Chinese people".

Agence France-Presse quoted Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina as saying "a series of memorandums, documents, framework agreements will be signed" during Castro's visit.

Chen Yuanting, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Latin American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the visit is a "landmark" and shows the Honduran government's will to conduct win-win cooperation with China.

The rapid unfolding of bilateral cooperation demonstrates that the two countries have entered "a formal process of exchanges", Chen said.

China was an important trade partner of Honduras even before diplomatic relations were established, according to Chen.

The Honduran government is preparing to launch talks with China over a free-trade agreement, which, if reached, would serve to greatly promote the two countries' trade cooperation, Chen said.

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Xinhua | April 24, 2024

On April 22, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China announced that at the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China from April 24 to 26. On April 22, a senior official from the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry briefed the media on the visit.

The official noted that Secretary Blinken's visit is part of the efforts by China and the United States to implement the common understandings reached by the two presidents at their meeting in San Francisco, maintain dialogue, manage differences, advance cooperation and strengthen coordination on international affairs. The two sides have been in communication regarding the visit. In the phone call between the two presidents on April 2, President Joe Biden told President Xi Jinping that the United States will send Secretary Blinken to visit China. The Chinese side welcomed the visit.

The official said last November, President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden held a historic meeting in San Francisco. They reached a series of important common understandings and deliverables, and established a future-oriented San Francisco vision. At the start of the year, President Xi exchanged congratulatory letters with President Biden on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. On March 27, President Xi met with representatives of the U.S. business, strategic and academic communities. On April 2, President Xi spoke with President Biden on the phone at the request of the latter. Under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, China-U.S. relations started to stabilize. On the other hand, there are still significant negative factors in the bilateral relationship. The United States continues pushing forward the strategy of containing China, keeps adopting erroneous words and actions that interfere in China's internal affairs, smear China's image and undermine China's interests. China resolutely opposes such moves and has taken strong countermeasures.

The official said the Chinese side always views and handles its relations with the United States in accordance with the three fundamental principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. Regarding China-U.S. relations in 2024, the Chinese side will follow three overarching principles: peace must be valued, stability must be prioritized, and credibility must be upheld.

For the visit by Secretary Blinken, the official said the Chinese side will focus on five goals:

First, establishing the right perception. Perception is always the first button that must be put right. Whether China and the United States are rivals or partners is a fundamental issue, on which there must not be any catastrophic mistake. China always believes that major-country competition is not the prevailing trend of the current times, nor the solution to the problems facing China, the United States and the world. The two big countries of China and the United States should not cut off their ties or turn their back on each other, still less slide into conflict or confrontation. China-U.S. relations should be stabilized and strengthened, and continue moving forward in a stable, sound and sustainable way. At the same time, China has interests that must be safeguarded, principles that must be upheld, and red lines that must not be crossed. President Biden noted on many occasions that the United States does not seek a new Cold War, its objective is not to change China's system or curtail China's development, its alliances are not targeted against China, the United States does not support "Taiwan independence," and the United States does not seek conflict with China or "decoupling" from China. We urge the U.S. side to honor President Biden's above commitments with concrete actions, and work with the Chinese side to turn the San Francisco vision into reality, rather than continue to contain and suppress China in the name of competition. The diplomatic teams of the two sides will continue their discussions on the guiding principles of China-U.S. relations based on the seven-point common understandings already reached, i.e. both countries treating each other with respect and finding a way to live alongside each other peacefully, maintaining open lines of communication, preventing conflict, upholding the U.N. Charter, cooperating in areas of shared interests, and responsibly managing competitive aspects of the relationship.

Second, strengthening dialogue. Since the San Francisco summit, China and the United States have had a series of important engagements at different levels and in various fields. Senior officials in charge of foreign affairs and security, economy and finance, climate change, law enforcement, agriculture and culture have stayed in contact through visits, talks, phone calls, and working group meetings. Military-to-military communication was restored. The 20-plus consultation mechanisms established or restored after the San Francisco summit are brought to bear. China remains open to dialogue and communication. The U.S. side must realize that it cannot seek communication just for the sake of communication; it must not say one thing but do the opposite; and it should be under no illusion that it can deal with China from a so-called "position of strength." The so-called U.S. alliance system is a product of the Cold War, and reflects the outdated Cold War mentality and zero-sum game where one side thrives at the expense of others. The United States is obsessed with bringing its allies into small circles against China. The move runs counter to the trend of the times. It will find no support, and will lead nowhere.

Third, effectively managing disagreements. There have been and will continue to be disagreements between China and the United States. But disagreements should not be allowed to dominate China-U.S. relations, and the relationship should be put under whole-process management. In particular, the United States must not cross China's red lines on Taiwan, democracy and human rights, paths and systems, and the right to development. The Chinese side is determined to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests, and will make clear its solemn positions and demands on various issues, such as Taiwan, economy and trade, science and technology, and the South China Sea.

The Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations. Taiwan is part of China. The Taiwan question is China's internal affair. Peace across the Taiwan Strait and "Taiwan independence" are as irreconcilable as fire and water. The biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external encouragement and support for them; China is not going to sit on its hands. The Chinese side firmly opposes the recent erroneous words and actions of the U.S. side on the Taiwan question, and urges the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, honor President Biden's commitments with concrete actions, oppose "Taiwan independence," stop arming Taiwan, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and support China's peaceful reunification.

The U.S. has been ramping up efforts to curtail China's economic, trade and technological development, with new measures being rolled out in such forms as export control, investment screening and unilateral sanctions. This gravely undermines the interests of China. Such moves are not de-risking but instead creating risks. The so-called "overcapacity" is misleading narrative hyped up by the U.S. side packaged in economic concepts. The real intention is to kneecap China's industrial development and put the U.S. in a more advantageous position in market competition. It's another example of outright economic coercion and bullying. The growth of China's exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products over the past few years is a result of international division of labor and market demand, and is conducive to green development around the world. The Section 301 investigation launched by the previous administration against China and the tariffs levied as a result are ruled by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as in violation of WTO rules and are opposed by many WTO members. Initiating a new round of 301 investigation out of domestic political needs is piling one mistake on another. National security concerns of a country need to be fairly and reasonably defined with certain boundaries. China firmly opposes the move of the U.S. to politicize economic, trade and tech issues. China has made it clear to the U.S. side that to suppress China's technology sector is to curb China's high-quality development and deprive the Chinese people of their legitimate right to development. China will respond to it resolutely.

China firmly opposes U.S. attempts to meddle in the South China Sea and sow discord between China and ASEAN. China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their adjacent waters. China will continue to properly handle maritime issues with relevant parties through dialogue and consultation and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests must not be violated, and China's determination to safeguard its lawful rights remains unwavering. China and the U.S. have established consultation mechanisms on maritime affairs and Asia-Pacific affairs, through which dialogue can be carried out between the two sides. That said, the U.S. is not a party to the South China Sea issue. It should not interfere, still less stir up trouble.

Fourth, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation. Over the past months, the two sides have made some progress in the areas of counternarcotics, law enforcement, science and technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, health, and climate change. There are now more direct flights linking the two countries, close exchanges between business communities and between provinces and states, active engagements between young Chinese and Americans and frequent cultural and sports interactions. Cooperation on giant panda conservation is well underway. This has demonstrated that China and the U.S. share extensive common interests and can both benefit from cooperation. It also proves that the hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, its foundation is in our societies, its future depends on the youth, and its vitality comes from exchanges at sub-national levels.

Fentanyl is not a problem of China, nor is it caused by China. That said, China has not stood idly by, but is willing to help the American people. Since the San Francisco meeting, the Chinese side has matched its words with actions. Progress has been made in counternarcotics cooperation, thanks to the tremendous efforts made by the Chinese side. The U.S. side should address China's concerns in a reciprocal manner.

Fifth, working together to fulfill responsibilities as major countries. As permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China and the U.S. shoulder special responsibilities for safeguarding international peace and security. On the Middle East, Ukraine, the Korean Peninsula and other hotspot issues, China has been playing a constructive role as a responsible major country. China expects the U.S. side to do the same.

The international community is profoundly dissatisfied and disappointed to see that the U.S. is the only country in the U.N. Security Council to have vetoed Palestine's bid for full U.N. membership. Palestine's full U.N. membership should not be premised upon Palestine-Israel negotiations. Rather, it is an important step toward the two-state solution by putting Palestine on equal terms in the negotiations. When it comes to complying with the international law and Security Council rules, the U.S. enjoys no exception or privilege, and should let go of the hegemonic mindset of superiority. The U.S. should join other U.N. member states in fulfilling due international responsibilities, supporting UNSC Resolution 2728, and pushing for an early full ceasefire in Gaza, so as to end the plight of the Palestinian people. China will raise clear requests with the U.S. side.

The Ukraine crisis is facing the potential risk of further deterioration and escalation. Efforts should be made to deescalate the situation and bring the conflict to an end through negotiation rather than on the battlefield. The purpose of political settlement is not to produce a winner, but to ensure that peace prevails. China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is China a party to it. It has all along held an objective and impartial position and worked actively to promote talks for peace and political settlement. China will continue to play a constructive role on this. It is important for the U.S. side to reflect on its due responsibilities in the Ukraine crisis, not add fuel to the fire or exploit the crisis for selfish gains. It should not smear the normal relations between China and Russia or instigate bloc confrontation, still less slander and scapegoat China. The U.S. side should also immediately stop arbitrary imposition of unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals. The Ukraine issue is not an issue between China and the United States. The U.S. side should not turn it into one.

When asked about China's views on the recent negative developments such as the trilateral U.S.-Japan-Philippines summit, the official said that the Chinese side has expressed serious concern over recent U.S. moves to advance its Indo-Pacific Strategy against China and its erroneous statements and actions in the neighboring areas of China. The deployment of the Mid-Range Capability missile system in the Philippines exacerbates tensions in the region and heightens the risk of misjudgment and miscalculation. The trilateral security partnership of AUKUS is focused on advancing nuclear submarine development in the region, substantially increasing the risk of proliferation and aggravating arms race. The Asia-Pacific is no one's backyard and should not be an arena for big power rivalry. China urges the U.S. side to respect the security concerns of other countries as well as efforts by regional countries to safeguard peace and stability, rise above the Cold-War mentality, stop inciting military tensions or bloc confrontation, and stop forging small circles aimed to contain China in China's neighborhood.

On the U.S. side's comment that it will raise concerns on human rights issues during the visit, the official noted that issues related to Xinjiang, Xizang, and Hong Kong are all China's internal affairs. They are not about the so-called "human rights issues." The United States should not use human rights as an excuse to interfere in China's internal affairs. Human rights are not a monopoly of any country. The people of a country have the best say on its human rights. The United States should first face up to its own human rights problems. It is in no position to lecture others.

On the U.S. side's harassment, interrogation and even repatriation of Chinese students, an issue closely followed in China, the official said that the U.S. side keeps overstretching the concept of national security, and has arbitrarily canceled Chinese students' visas, forbidden their entry and forcibly repatriated them without any conclusive evidence, causing enormous harm to relevant students. The inspection rooms at some U.S. airports have become a nightmare for Chinese students. What the U.S. side is doing contravenes its statement about facilitating and supporting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. China will continue to urge the U.S. side to stop poisoning the atmosphere in the two societies, stop obstructing friendly exchanges between the two peoples, rectify its wrong practices, conduct thorough investigations into relevant cases, and make things right for the victims. The Chinese government is committed to serving the interests of the people, and will continue to take measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights of Chinese citizens. 

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Colombia to break diplomatic relations with Israel, President Petro says

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Wednesday he will break diplomatic relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza.

Petro has already heavily criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and requested to join South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.

“Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel ... for having a government, for having a president who is genocidal,” Petro told cheering crowds in Bogota who marched to mark International Worker’s Day and back Petro's social and economic reforms.

Countries cannot be passive in the face of events in Gaza, he added.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Petro of being “antisemitic and full of hate”. He said Petro's move was a reward to the armed group Hamas, which on Oct. 7 led a deadly attack on Israeli military bases and communities.

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China's Xi to visit France, Serbia, Hungary as Beijing appears to seek a larger role in Ukraine

BEIJING, China — Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit France, Serbia and Hungary next week as Beijing appears to seek a larger role in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine that has upended global political and economic security.

The visit by Xi, China’s president and head of the ruling Communist Party, is his first to Europe in five years and will “inject new momentum to the peaceful development of the world,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily briefing on Monday.

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Chinese president to visit France, Serbia and Hungary in May

The symbolically-rich trip comes at a crucial time with Russia advancing in Ukraine and escalating trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels.

The President of China, Xi Jinping, will visit Europe in around two weeks, where he is expected to make stops in France, Hungary and Serbia.

One reason for the visit is Italy's decision to withdraw - after some hesitation - from China's grandiose New Silk Road programme, which Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will finalise in Beijing in July.

Rome's decision increases the importance of Hungary and Serbia, lying in central and eastern Europe, if China is to have unimpeded access to the EU by land. 

A new agreement with the Italian government will not be reached until Xi completes his European tour in May, where he will try to gauge other European countries' intentions.

The Belgrade-Budapest freight railway, in this respect, is a key issue and explains much of the visit to the two neighbouring capitals.

Xi's trip to Paris is part of the annual agenda of the two countries, as French President Emmanuel Macron promised to visit China every year when he was first elected and he would like to see these visits returned by the Chinese number one. 

The two world powers want to reach agreements on easing China's trade surplus, the still vexed issue of intellectual and technical rights and reciprocal climate policy steps. 

They also face security policy issues, as both the EU and France see it as vital that China does not intervene on Russia's side in the Ukraine war and that it should stop its seemingly small support to China.

According to Budapest, it is in the interest of the Hungarian economy to maintain good relations with as many countries as possible. 

Authorities consider China as a great power representing considerable strength, against whom it is not worth setting ideological barriers.

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