Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao meets with Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, Panama's vice president and foreign minister, in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao and State Councilor Yang Jiechi met Tuesday with Isabel de Saint Malo, Panama's vice president and foreign minister.
China and the Latin American country signed a joint communique Tuesday on the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Li said China appreciates Panama's recognition of the one-China policy and the establishment of diplomatic ties with China.
"This is the general trend of development and the common aspiration of the people," Li told de Saint Malo during the meeting at the Great Hall of the People.
The establishment of diplomatic ties is in line with the one-China policy and the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, said Li, calling on both sides to enhance exchanges, increase mutual trust and strengthen cooperation.
De Saint Malo said Panama will adhere to the one-China policy and conduct extensive cooperation with China. ' In a separate meeting at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, Yang said the establishment of diplomatic ties opens a new chapter for China and Panama.
He called for more pragmatic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between two countries, as well as multilateral communication and cooperation to benefit the two peoples and international community.
De Saint Malo said Panama's decision to establish ties with China is in accordance with the fundamental interests of two countries and their people.
Panama is willing to cooperate more with China in areas of trade, investment, tourism and connectivity, said de Saint Malo, adding that Panama would like to become a portal of China-Latin America cooperation.
According to the joint communique, Panama severs "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan as of this day and undertakes not to have any more official relations or official exchanges with Taiwan.
