China, Panama establish diplomatic ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado, Panama's vice president and foreign minister, sign the joint communique in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

China and Panama signed a joint communique Tuesday on the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a meeting here with Isabel de Saint Malo, Panama's vice president and foreign minister, and they signed the joint communique.

According to the communique, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Panama, in keeping with the interests and desire of the two peoples, have decided to recognize each other and establish diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level effective from the date of signature of this communique.

The two governments agree to develop friendly relations between the two countries on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence, the communique said.

The Government of the Republic of Panama recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, it said.

The government of the Republic of Panama severs "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan as of this day and undertakes not to have any more official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan, the communique said, adding that the Government of the People's Republic of China appreciates this position of the Government of the Republic of Panama.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado, Panama's vice president and foreign minister, shake hands after signing the joint communique in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

During a press briefing after the meeting, Wang Yi said Panama is an important Latin American country, and the Chinese people value the traditional friendship with the Panamanian people.

He said the political decision made by Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and the Panamanian government meets the fundamental interests of the country.

Both China and Panama agreed that the one-China principle is the fundamental premise and the political basis on which the two countries can establish diplomatic ties and develop bilateral relations, Wang said.

"We both agreed that the establishment of bilateral ties will bring broad prospects for us to expand the comprehensive cooperation of mutual benefits," he said.

The two sides will engage in friendly exchanges of various levels and areas, and deepen political mutual trust, Wang said, adding that China welcomes Panama's active participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

They will also have communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, help deepen friendly cooperation between China and Latin America as well as the Caribbean area, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote peace, stability and development in the world, he said.

For her part, Isabel de Saint Malo said the decision to establish ties with China is a strategic one that was made on the basis of the two countries' interests, and both sides will chart the roadmap for the development of bilateral ties.

It will open a new chapter for the relations between the two countries, she said.

Earlier in the day, President Varela has directed Panamanian governmental departments to discuss cooperation with China in tourism, trade, culture, immigration, agriculture, education and maritime affairs, and to set the stage for the development of bilateral trade, according to her.