Panama Is Opening Diplomatic Relations With China

by Dramelin 10:00 PM 0 comments

Panama is opening diplomatic relations with China, the latest blow to Taiwan as Beijing’s leaders seek to isolate the self-governing island.
Panama’s President Juan Carlos Varela announced the move in a national address on Monday night.
China is the second-biggest user of the Panama Canal and has played a key role in sectors from banking to telecommunications, he said.
He called Taiwan a great friend and said he hoped for a constructive reaction.
“We have taken a historic step," Varela said.
“Both countries opt for the connection of a world that is more and more integrated, which creates a new era of opportunities for a relationship that we are starting today.
" The policy shift would reduce to 20 the number of nations that recognize the government in Taipei, rather than Beijing, as representing China.
The Communist Party considers Taiwan a province and has criticized President Tsai Ing-wen’s refusal to accept that both sides belong to “One China,” its precondition for ties.
Taiwan Presidential office spokesman Alex Huang said earlier that he couldn’t comment before any announcement by Panama.
In December, the West African island nation of Sao Tome and Principe cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Beijing formally reestablished relations with Gambia last March -- another former Taiwanese partner in West Africa -- and has stepped up communications with others, such as the Vatican.