China and El Salvador established diplomatic relations on the basis of the one-China principle, opening up prospects for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said on Tuesday while meeting the delegation from El Salvador in Beijing.
Wang first congratulated the delegates on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two sides.
He called for efforts to do a better job in the follow-up work of establishing diplomatic relations and work together for a new chapter of cooperation.
Delegates from El Salvador echoed Wang's stance on China-El Salvador relations, adding that their country attaches great importance to China's international status and role.
El Salvador will abide by the one-China principle, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China, and continuously promote the development of bilateral relations.
Political decision rather than dollar diplomacy
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) also said on the same day that the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries was a political decision that took place without any economic preconditions.
"Don't think of any problem as a question of money," MOFA spokesperson Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing.
China highly appreciates El Salvador establishing diplomatic relations with China and breaking off ties with Taiwan, said Lu.
El Salvador is an important country in Central America, he said, adding that the government recognizing and promising to abide by the one-China principle is the correct choice as it complies with the aspirations of the people.
It is both common sense and a universal consensus of the international community that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a part of China's territory, the spokesperson said.
"China is willing to strengthen cooperation with El Salvador in all fields," Lu added.
