Screenshot from the official Wechat account of Chinese Embassy in Panama

Recently, a regional media outlet outside Panama released a so-called "case analysis" report, accusing China of seeking to consolidate its geopolitical status in the Western Hemisphere through means such as luring elites, providing non-transparent loans and signing infrastructure contracts, including establishing diplomatic relations with Panama. This article lacks basic factual basis, rehashes false information that has already been proven to be rumors and wantonly makes unfounded remarks on China-Panama and China-Latin America relations, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Panama criticized in a statement published on Wednesday early morning.

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Panama issued a solemn statement on several major issues involved.

China and Latin American countries are good friends and partners who pursue equality, mutual benefit and common development. Openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation are the distinctive features of China-Latin America cooperation. The mutual efforts to enhance ties between China and Latin America represent the choice of the peoples of all countries and conform to the common interests of both sides, read the statement.

It continued to state that this year marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China. In 1971, the 26th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, restoring all lawful rights of the People's Republic of China in the UN. This resolution solemnly affirms that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

Since the adoption of UNGA Resolution 2758, the UN system as well as other international and regional organizations have all strictly adhered to the one-China principle. In official UN documents, Taiwan is referred to exclusively as "Taiwan, Province of China." To date, 183 countries have established and developed diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. In 2017, the Republic of Panama established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on the basis of the one-China principle, standing on the right side of history and with the overwhelming majority of countries in the world. This decision has received widespread support from all sectors in Panama, the statement pointed out.

Over the eight years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, fruitful results have been achieved in pragmatic cooperation between China and Panama in various fields such as trade, investment, and development assistance, greatly benefiting the Panamanian state and people. 

China is an important trading partner for Panama, the largest supplier to the Colón Free Trade Zone, and the second-largest user of the Panama Canal, according to the embassy statement. Chinese investment in Panama has grown rapidly, with Chinese enterprises conducting business in Panama based on the principles of openness, fairness, and transparency. Infrastructure projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises, such as the Panama Convention Center and the Amador Cruise Terminal, have greatly promoted and continue to drive Panama's economic and social development, with the related outcomes evident to all, it said.

Like with other countries, China also carries out international development cooperation with Panama. China's aid to Panama adheres to the principle that projects should be proposed, agreed and led by recipient countries. The conclusion of relevant agreements and the implementation of specific projects are fully negotiated and conducted by the governments of both sides. 

The recipients of Chinese aid are the Panamanian government, not any political party or individual, the statement underscored. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, at the request of the Panamanian side, China has provided Panama with multiple batches of assistance, including anti-epidemic supplies, mobile medical vehicles, sports equipment, and more. Funds from the aid have also been used to support the feasibility study for the Panama City-David City Railway. All Chinese aid comes without any attached political conditions and seeks no political gains, it stressed.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations stipulates that "the receiving State shall either facilitate the acquisition on its territory, in accordance with its laws, by the sending State of premises necessary for its mission or assist the latter in obtaining accommodation in some other way." After the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama, the two sides have provided mutual facilitation in accordance with this provision. 

According to the statement, since November 2017, the Embassy of Panama in China has been using two premises provided by the Chinese side. Panama has also established three consulates-general in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. The Chinese side has its embassy in Panama City, and the Panamanian side has provided land for the construction of the embassy premises.

Global Times