Panama opens China embassy

Panama City – Panama has announced it has opened an embassy in China after cutting diplomatic ties with Taiwan in June.

“The opening of the Republic of Panama’s embassy in the People’s Republic of China was done in accordance with the principles that frame the diplomatic relations between both countries,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The announcement was made as a delegation of Chinese business chiefs visited Panama to explore investment opportunities.

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela on June 12 declared his country had opened diplomatic relations with China. That meant the rupture of such ties with Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province.

Previously, Panama maintained trade relations with China but with the upgrade in ties, it now hopes to become a key point for China’s interests in Central America.