The third stop on the Chinese President's four nation tour is Panama. Xi's visit comes less than a year after China and Panama resumed diplomatic ties and it will be the first by a Chinese head of state to the Central American country. In an exclusive interview done in Washington over the summer, CGTN's Wang Guan sat down with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela - to talk about the future of China-Panama ties.

WANG GUAN CGTN CORRESPONDENT "You said the diplomatic switch is the correct path for Panama. Why is that?"

JUAN CARLOS VARELA PRESIDENT OF PANAMA "China has the largest population in the world. It has the second largest economy. It is the second largest user of Panama Canal and the most important provider of Colon free zone. Also the Chinese community in Panama. It is a strong community with lots of tradition and in 1800 the Chinese, 700 of them came to Panama, to help build the Panama railroad in a city called Sewich(SIC). It was a recognition to what that community has done in Panama too."

WANG GUAN CGTN CORRESPONDENT "What would be a keyword coming to mind when you think about China-Panama relationship?"

JUAN CARLOS VARELA PRESIDENT OF PANAMA "Long-time friendship. It has been there for many years. Just a matter of time now we have diplomatic relations."