On April 1 and 2, 2019, the opening ceremonies of consulates general of Panama in Guangzhou and Hong Kong were held. Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province Ouyang Weimin, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Commissioner of the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry of China in HKSAR Xie Feng attended the opening ceremonies respectively.

President Juan Carlos Varela of Panama, who made a special trip to China to attend the opening ceremonies of the two consulates general as well as the Panama Invest and Fest, thanked the Chinese side for the support for the opening of the consulates general. He noted that Panama and China enjoy close high-level exchanges, frequent economic, trade and personnel exchanges, and close cooperation in fields like marine services. He hoped that the establishment of the consulates general would further promote Panama's exchanges and cooperation in all fields with Guangzhou Province and the HKSAR, so as to accelerate the constant development of bilateral relations.

On behalf of the Foreign Ministry, Director General of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Cui Aimin said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama, President Xi Jinping and President Juan Carlos Varela have exchanged visits and reached important consensus on the development of bilateral relations. China and Panama have witnessed frequent personnel exchanges and rapid development in economy, trade, finance, maritime affairs, civil aviation, tourism and other fields under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. The establishment of Panama's consulates general will promote bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges, facilitate Panama's participation in the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and enrich the development of bilateral relations. The Chinese Foreign Ministry is willing to offer convenience and assistance to the consulates general of Panama in China to carry out relevant work.