On November 23, 2018, Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang attended the reception marking the 115th anniversary of the independence held by the Panamanian Embassy in China. He exchanged views with Panamanian Ambassador to China Francisco Carlo Escobar Pedreschi on China-Panama relations, President Xi Jinping's visit to Panama and other topics. Both sides expressed that cooperation will be enhanced to ensure the complete success of President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to Panama.