Chinese President Xi arrives in Panama for state visit

World
Europe

00:40

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Panama on Sunday for a state visit, the first of its kind since the two countries established diplomatic relations in June 2017.

Upon their arrival at the airport, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan were warmly received by Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and his wife Lorena Castillo Garcia with a grand welcoming ceremony.

Accompanied by Varela, Xi reviewed the guard of honor.

Xi said this is his first visit to Panama, and also the very first time in history for a Chinese president to visit the country.

On behalf of the Chinese people, he expressed sincere greetings and good wishes to the Panamanian people.

Xi stressed that China and Panama established diplomatic relations one and half years ago as President Juan Carlos Varela made an important political decision to firmly adhere to the one-China policy, opening a new chapter in the history of over 160 years of bilateral relations.

China-Panama relations have started strong with fruitful results in cooperation in various fields, the Chinese president noted.

Xi pointed out that China and Panama cooperation boasts huge development potential in keeping with the interests and desires of the two peoples.

He voiced the expectation that his upcoming talks with President Varela will draw a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations in the long run, boost mutually beneficial cooperation, promote common development and benefit the two countries.

Xi's visit came after his attendance at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires and a state visit to Argentina.

Panama is the third leg of Xi's ongoing Europe and Latin America tour, with Portugal as the final stop. These visits are expected to strengthen cooperation between China and Latin American countries.