Panamanian president on new ties with China

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Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela decided as early as 2010 that his country should establish official diplomatic ties with the Chinese mainland, he told CGTN’s Chief US Political Correspondent Wang Guan in a recent exclusive interview.

Varela said it couldn’t be done as quickly or as early as he hoped because there was a "diplomatic truce", a tacit agreement during 2008 and 2015 between Beijing and Taiwan’s pro-reunification Kuomintang party that neither side would take countries away from each other.

The Panamanian president said he talked to Taiwan officials "at all levels" before severing ties.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela (L) with CGTN’s Chief US Political Correspondent Wang Guan. /CGTN Photo

According to the Panamanian president, to recognize China as the sole legitimate government of a landmass ranging from western Xinjiang, northern Inner Mongolia, northeastern Heilongjiang, and southern Hong Kong and southeastern Taiwan, was a correct decision and was Panama’s "own decision."

He informed US President Donald Trump about the decision only a few hours before the official announcement and Trump supported the decision.

Varela also dismissed Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen’s claim that the switch in ties was a case of "checkbook diplomacy."

"I didn’t ask anything from China. I just think it was the right thing to do for my country, for people of Panama and for the future of a strong relationship between China and Panama."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) gestures next to Panama Canal administrator Jorge Quijano (L) and Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela (R) during a tour to the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal in Panama City, Panama on September 17, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Varela, who joined Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Panama City on Sunday at the inauguration of the new Chinese embassy, is confident of a "strong relationship" in the years ahead.

"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," Varela told CGTN.

"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... It was a recognition to what that community has done in Panama too."

Varela explained that visits to Shanghai and Beijing as his country’s vice president in 2010 inspired his decision. On returning home, he declared that should he become president he would establish diplomatic ties with the Chinese mainland.

Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela (C) smiles as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) and his Panamanian counterpart Isabel De Saint Malo shake hands after signing a memorandum at the Simon Bolivar Palace in Panama City on September 17, 2017. /AFP Photo

"In 2010, I went to Shanghai for the World Special Olympic Games and I was very impressed with the city and then I went to Beijing and saw how China was opening its economy, I saw all these developments."

Varela sees a long and fruitful future for China and Panama, and will visit China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping later this year.

"This is a relationship based on trust and the common good of our people," Varela said in June. "I am looking forward to going to China soon, to visit Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

"And to be able to present my country to the Chinese people, to invite Chinese companies and tourists to visit Panama. And to build a strong relationship between our countries and our people."

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela's letter to CGTN and CCTV staff. /CGTN Photo

At the end of the interview, President Varela also wrote a letter to CGTN and CCTV staff, wishing a "longstanding friendship between our people and countries."