Following his participation in the 2024 Reception in Honor of Foreign Diplomatic Missions to China in Beijing, Salvador Moncada, Ambassador of Honduras to China, attended the Honduran specialty product (whiteleg shrimp) promotion event held at Beijing’s Wumart supermarket. According to him, the entry of Honduran whiteleg shrimp into the Chinese market marked a historic moment and a new beginning.
Whiteleg shrimp is a premium specialty product and a major export commodity for Honduras. Less than three months after establishing diplomatic relations with China in March 2023, Honduras gained approval to export whiteleg shrimp to China. Chinatex Corporation, the first Chinese enterprise to sign a whiteleg shrimp purchase agreement with Honduran suppliers, carried out a trial sale in Beijing just before this year’s National Day holiday, receiving positive responses.
In recent years, Honduras has been facing the challenge of declining prices in the global shrimp market. In an interview, Ambassador Moncada stated that this cooperation with China will help revitalize the country’s whiteleg shrimp industry. He mentioned that Honduran whiteleg shrimp, raised in the clear seawater enriched by volcanic soil in the Gulf of Fonseca, are known for their robust texture and juicy taste and are very popular locally. The freshness of the shrimp is well preserved through live-frozen processing, which brings out the authentic flavor of the Honduran seafood.
Moncada (middle) attends the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Honduran specialty product (whiteleg shrimp) showcase and promotion event. Photo by Liu Xiaoyan
When looking ahead to future cooperation opportunities between Honduran and Chinese enterprises in agriculture and aquaculture sectors, Ambassador Moncada noted, “Our two countries are poised to sign a significant free trade agreement (FTA). Currently, the early harvest arrangement of free trade agreement has taken effect, allowing Honduran whiteleg shrimp to enter the Chinese market tariff-free, which is a valuable preferential policy for us. We will also export high-quality coffee, tobacco and fruits, such as cantaloupes, to the Chinese market. We hope that China will increase its investment in Honduras, so that bilateral exchanges and commercial interactions will become richer and more specialized. Honduran coffee is of exceptional quality; we not only sell ordinary commercial coffee or bulk coffee, but also offer premium and specialty coffee that is highly favored in the market. In recent years, the Chinese coffee market has become increasingly mature with very refined consumer tastes, which presents great opportunities for our products.”
When asked about the China-Honduras relations, Ambassador Moncada stated, “For us, establishing diplomatic relations with China is of great importance. We see significant development opportunities in Latin America, where we are located. We have an open mind towards the people and markets of all countries, and we are deeply grateful for China’s incredibly welcoming and positive reception towards us.”
“Honduras is delighted and honored to establish diplomatic relations with China, which aligns with the historical trend. We are firmly committed to the one-China principle and admire China’s achievements in social development, especially in poverty alleviation. China’s relevant experiences are vital to us. Every day in China, I see things that could be important examples for our country. As Honduras strives to develop, China is a model that we should study from with a positive attitude.” he added.
Moncada (middle) promotes Honduran whiteleg shrimp to the public. Photo by Liu Xiaoyan
When talking about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Ambassador Moncada said, “The Honduran government is advancing an important plan to develop green energy. We have abundant resources in hydropower, solar power, and wind power. It is a vital goal for us to develop these renewable energies to displace non-renewable ones. I believe China and the BRI will play a crucial role in helping Honduras achieve energy transition, as China has accumulated rich experience in this area.” He also expressed Honduras’ desire to join BRICS.
When discussing the expectations for China’s future economic growth and market development, Ambassador Moncada recalled, “When I first came here in 1989, Beijing was far less prosperous than it is today, with fewer skyscrapers and less impressive buildings. Over the years, the city’s public transportation and various infrastructure have undergone tremendous transformations, all of which I have witnessed with my own eyes. Each time I come to China, I notice improvements in the city’s appearance and the people’s well-being, which make them happier. I often share with others China’s success in poverty alleviation, as 600-700 million people have been lifted out of poverty.”
“Given different national situations, Honduras will not copy exactly what China did but will draw insights and learn from the good practices China has taken. I observe that the Chinese economy has been growing steadily, and I firmly believe this trend will continue with strong momentum, which will be particularly beneficial to Global South countries. China plays a very important role in motivating these countries, which are developing very rapidly with promising prospects,” said Ambassador Moncada.
China and Honduras established diplomatic relations in March 2023, and signed an early harvest arrangement of free trade agreement in February 2024.
(Edited based on relevant information from Capital News)
