BEIJING -- Greeted by a group of frisky children clutching bouquets, Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, president of the Republic of Honduras, broke into a smile and reciprocated the warm gestures by forming a heart shape with her hands. Standing beside her was Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It's a scene that would be inscribed in the chronicle of China-Honduras relations. After walking the red carpet China rolled out for the visiting Honduran president, the two heads of state conducted their historic meeting on Monday, jointly charting the course forward for bilateral relations.

NEW CHAPTER

Castro is the first Honduran president to pay a state visit to China. When she arrived in Shanghai on Friday, the president said her visit to China is expected by the Honduran people.

On March 26, China and Honduras signed a joint communique in Beijing on the establishment of diplomatic relations. Honduras has thus become the 182nd country to have diplomatic relations with China.

During the meeting, Xi said the bilateral relationship has got off to a good and speedy start and enjoys great dynamism and promise since the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Underscoring the immediate and long-term significance of the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi stressed "China will remain committed to developing friendly relations with Honduras, firmly support economic and social development in Honduras, and forge a good friendship and partnership with Honduras featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and common development."