Xi arrives in Panama for first state visit
PANAMA CitY: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here for a state visit to Panama, the first of its kind since China and the Central American country established diplomatic relations in June last year.
Upon their arrival at the airport on Sunday, 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 also reviewed the guard of honour.
To greet the honoured guests, a group of locals performed ethnic dances, while children waved flowers and the national flags of the two countries.
Xi said this was his first visit to Panama and also the first time a president of the People’s Republic of China had ever visited the country.
On behalf of the Chinese people, he expressed sincere greetings and good wishes to the Panamanian people.
He added that with the establishment of diplomatic relations on the basis of the one-China principle, the two countries’ interactions lasting more than 160 years had “turned over a new chapter”.
“China-Panama relations have started strong with fruitful results in cooperation in various fields,” he noted.
“Facts have proven that forging diplomatic relations fits the fundamental and long-term interests of our two peoples,” he said, adding that there was great potential for future cooperation.
He also expressed his hope that his upcoming talks with Varela would lead to a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations in the long run, boost mutually beneficial cooperation, promote common development and benefit the two countries and their people.
Xi arrived in Panama City after wrapping up a trip to Argentina, where he attended the 13th Group of 20 summit and paid a state visit.
Xi’s four-nation trip has also brought him to Spain.
He is scheduled to visit Portugal after Panama. — China Daily/Asia News Network