President Chen Shui-bian on August 23 spent his second day in Honduras on the "Trip of Joint Grand Vision and Eternal Concern." At 9 a.m. (August 22, 11 p.m., Taipei time), President Chen and his entourage departed from their hotel and paid a visit to Tegucigalpa Mayor Ricardo A. Alvarez. The mayor and his wife welcomed the president to the capital's city hall and then escorted President Chen to a second floor meeting hall. Upon entering the room, President Chen shook hands and exchanged greetings with Tegucigalpa city councilmen, who lined the two sides of the room. The president thanked them for the warm reception and in a commemorative signature book wrote the eight Chinese characters that make up the theme of this journey, "Trip of Joint Grand Vision and Eternal Concern."
Mayor Alvarez specially invited President Chen to sit in the chair usually occupied by the mayor. The Honduras honor band then played the national anthems of the two countries. Mayor Alvarez formally welcomed President Chen and his entourage. On behalf of the people of Tegucigalpa, Mayor Alvarez thanked the government of the ROC (Taiwan) and President Chen for their long support of and assistance to Honduras. Mayor Alvarez said it is a great honor for him to be able to personally receive President Chen. The mayor also presented the president with a plaque bearing the emblem of the city, which is the highest honor accorded by Tegucigalpa, as well as a resolution passed by the city council welcoming President Chen. The president also presented gifts in return.
When delivering remarks to thank his hosts, the president said with humor that as he was invited to sit in the mayor's seat, it is his responsibility to express concern for the people of Tegucigalpa. He noted that Tegucigalpa and Taipei have been sister cities for over 34 years and that he cherishes this long relationship. He said that on this visit he feels more warmth and friendliness from the people of Tegucigalpa than ever.
After completing his remarks, the president and those accompanying him raised their glasses in a toast to the Honduran officials escorting them, thanking them for their warm reception.
Honduras Foreign Minister Milton Danilo Jimenez Puerto was waiting for President Chen when he left city hall. The foreign minister escorted the president across the central plaza to place flowers in front of a copper statue of the founding father of Honduras. Honor guards placed the wreath of flowers in front of the statue after receiving it from the president. President Chen and Foreign Minister Jimenez then acquiesced to requests by the media for several photos of them together. One point of interest is that two of the honor guards involved in the wreath-laying ceremony were Taiwanese students Li Jyun-fong and Liao Kuei-yong, who came to Honduras to attend military school. The uniform movements of the honor guards impressed onlookers and also symbolized the wide range of exchanges and deep friendship of the two countries.