Establishing diplomatic relations with China is Honduras' political decision based on the one-China principle, which is without any preconditions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Reina attend a signing ceremony of a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations after their talks in Beijing, capital of China, March 26, 2023. (Photo: Xinhua)

"Diplomatic ties are not something for trade," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stressed at a regular news briefing in response to a question on whether China would give Honduras the almost $2.5 billion amount it had reportedly sought from the Taiwan region.

Mao pointed out that the establishment of diplomatic relations is not a bargaining chip, adding in recent years, Panama, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and other countries have established or resumed diplomatic relations with China without attaching any preconditions.

After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras, China, on the basis of the one-China principle and in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit and common development, will actively promote mutually beneficial cooperation with the Honduran side in various fields to help Honduras' economic and social development and bring benefits to the local people, she said.

Noting the Taiwan authorities are accustomed to "money diplomacy," Mao warned that seeking "Taiwan independence" is a dead end and "money diplomacy" has no way out. "Any attempt to go against the tide of history is doomed to fail," she added.