China and Panama are some 15,000 km apart, equal to a little more than one third the circumference of the Earth. However, the close connection between these two countries stretches not only a vast geographical distance, but also a long way back in time. Friendship and bilateral exchange between them has been growing since Chinese people first set foot in the Central American country more than 160 years ago.
Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in June 2017, bilateral cooperation in trade, infrastructure and other fields, as well as people-to-people exchange, have advanced at an increased rate. China has been Panama’s largest trading partner since 2019 and, at present, is the second largest user of the Panama Canal, after the United States.
Every year, a variety of events are held
