Panama’s switch from Taipei to Beijing could be a model for others, president says

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said his country’s decision to shift diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing could be a model for other countries but would not affect its relations with Washington.

In Beijing on a week-long trip to foster Chinese links with Panama and the rest of Latin America, Varela said on Monday that he hoped his trip would not only underline Panama’s support for Beijing’s “one-China” policy, but also signal that Panama welcomed China’s growing presence in the United States’ backyard.

“We think we have made the right decision to establish ties with China and we have been very transparent throughout the process,” he said to a small group of reporters.

“Undoubtedly, our decision would serve as a model for other countries to follow – which is that other countries will follow our example of supporting the one-China policy.

“I believe that the one-China consensus would be strengthened in other countries in the region.”