Xi: China-Panama relations 'turn over a new leaf'

World
Europe

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela in Beijing on Friday, saying bilateral relations "turned over a new leaf" with the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Varela is making his first state visit to China after the Central American nation established diplomatic relations with China in June.

"Forging diplomatic relations on the basis of the one-China principle meets the aspiration of generations of people in the two countries," Xi said.

"China-Panama relations have turned over a new leaf," Xi said, adding that China will work with Panama to jointly draw a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela inspect the honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, November 17. /CGTN Photo

Xi spoke highly of the achievements. "You are the first Panamanian president to have a state visit to China. You are also the first Latin American president to visit China after the 19th Party Congress."

The Chinese president said he warmly welcomed the delegation and praised Varela's great vision, political courage and responsibility in promoting the friendship between the two peoples.

Varela, on his part, thanked Xi for his great hospitality and said he looked forward to deepening cooperation with China in all fields.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of 19 cooperation documents on tourism, justice, trade and maritime logistics.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela witness the signing of cooperation documents. /CGTN Photo

Panama, it was stated, also supports China's Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, and hopes to be a part of it, serving as a bridge that links China with other countries in the region.

Varela congratulated Xi on his re-election as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee after the 19th CPC National Congress last month and expressed his admiration for China's great achievements in the fields of economic and social development and poverty alleviation.

Xi pointed out that the 19th CPC National Congress formulated a clear goal and road map for the future of China's national development through 2050. The prospects for China's development are bright and history will prove that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama is a correct decision, he said.

Earlier on Friday, Xi held a welcome ceremony for the visiting Panamanian president at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also held talks with President Varela.

China commended Panama for adhering to the one-China policy, Li said, and he hoped the two countries will further enhance mutual political trust.

He added that docking China's Belt and Road Initiative with Panama's development strategy and to deepen cooperation would not only lay foundations for the long-term development of relations, but also play a positive role for economic development of the region and the world.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) and Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela attend a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, November 17. /Reuters Photo

Varela said that Panama highly appreciated the great achievements of China and pledged that Panama will adhere to the one-China policy.

The two countries should strengthen cooperation in connectivity and construction of a logistics center in order to promote development of Panama-China relations, as well as the welfare of the two peoples, Varela said.

In June, Panama upgraded its commercial ties with China and established full diplomatic links with the second most important customer of its key shipping canal.

Panama is seeking to attract Chinese investors to its Colon Free Trade Zone, located near the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, while another proposed deal would allow airlines to operate flights between the two countries.

During the week-long visit, Varela will take a bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai.