On September 16, 2017 local time, President Juan Carlos Varela of Panama met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Presidential Palace in Panama City.

Juan Carlos Varela asked Wang Yi to convey his warm greetings to President Xi Jinping, and expressed that the establishment of Panama-China diplomatic relations has opened a new chapter for bilateral relations. He was deeply inspired by the rapid development of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations three months ago, and was fairly glad to visit China within this year to promote bilateral exchanges among various circles as well as cooperation in various fields. Panama passionately responds to and actively supports the “Belt and Road” initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to make use of its own unique geographical location to actively participate in the construction of the Maritime Silk Road, and jointly make contributions to facilitating world connectivity together with China. The Panamanian side will firmly uphold the one-China policy, abide by its commitments on the Taiwan issue made when establishing diplomatic relations, and do nothing that goes against the one-China policy or harms bilateral political mutual trust. The country wishes and believes that China will surely achieve national reunification.

Wang Yi conveyed President Xi Jinping’s warm greetings to President Juan Carlos Varela, and stressed that Panama’s establishment of diplomatic relations with China made the country enter the rank of the international community that upholds one-China policy and stand on the right side of history, which conform to the trend of the times and coincide with public opinion and common aspiration of the people, thus gaining active response from all circles of Panama as well as universal welcome from the international community. Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations three months ago, bilateral exchanges in various fields have shown a trend of blowout, with potential for cooperation accumulated for many years beginning to fully release. Facts have proven that the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations fully conforms to the fundamental and long-term interests of Panama and its people, and is a right strategic choice. The Chinese side is willing to, together with the Panamanian side, well prepare for President Juan Carlos Varela’s visit to China, and take this visit as an opportunity to open a new chapter for bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity. Both sides can focus on expanding cooperation in nine major fields, namely investment, trade, aviation, sea transportation, finance, quality inspection, tourism, culture and judiciary. China welcomes Panama to make use of its advantage of geographical location to participate in the “Belt and Road” construction, and build the modern maritime Silk Road linking Asia and America. The one-China policy is the important premise of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations as well as the political basis of bilateral relations. The Chinese side hopes and believes that Panama could well handle issues concerning Taiwan, consolidate the foundation of China-Panama relations, and well build the mansion of bilateral cooperation.