Shanghai Party secretary meets Panamanian president

Li Qiang, secretary of the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China, met with Juan Carlos Varela, president of Republic of Panama on Wednesday.

Li welcomed his guests and he said a new era has been ushered in by President Xi Jinping, who pointed out the direction for Sino-Panama diplomatic relationship during his talk with Varela.

Shanghai is working hard to build itself into an international center of finance, economy, trade, and shipping, Li added. Shanghai is working with Panama in shipping and ports’ construction. Shanghai is willing to extend the cooperation into free trade zones, trade, education, and tourism.

Varela said China and Shanghai’s achievements in recent years have been impressive. Panama will support China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and keep strengthening Sino-Panama relationship. He expressed his hope for Panama to cooperate with Shanghai in shipping, trade, and tourism.

Wei Qiang, China’s ambassador to Panama, and Zhuge Yujie, secretary-general of the CPC Shanghai Committee, also attended the meeting.