China talks about the first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hong Kong: China-Hong Kong friendship will surely grow into a towering tree

　　China News Service, Beijing, March 26 (Xie Yanbing) Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian hosted a regular press conference on March 26.

　　A reporter asked: Today (26th) is the first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras. How does China evaluate the development of bilateral relations between China and Hong Kong over the past year?

　　Lin Jian: Today China and Honduras celebrate the first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. President Xi Jinping and President Castro exchanged congratulatory messages, spoke highly of the development achievements of bilateral relations over the past year, and expressed their firm willingness to further consolidate mutual trust and expand cooperation.

　　A year ago, China and Honduras established diplomatic relations on the basis of the one-China principle. The two countries joined hands across the ocean and opened a new chapter in bilateral relations. In June last year, Honduran President Castro paid a state visit to China. The two heads of state had a historic meeting. The two sides signed 17 cooperation agreements, laying an important foundation for the high-level start of bilateral relations. In the past year since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have firmly supported each other on issues involving each other's core interests, carried out fruitful cooperation in many fields such as economy and trade, agriculture, science and technology, education, tourism, etc., showing broad prospects and great potential. The rapid development of China-Hong Kong relations fully proves that establishing and developing relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle conforms to the historical trend and the general trend of the times, and is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples.

　　China attaches great importance to China-Hong Kong relations and will work with Hong Kong to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, further consolidate political mutual trust on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and common development, and deepen cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in various fields. I believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, the friendship between China and Hong Kong will surely grow into a towering tree and bear more fruits. (over)