Taiwan’s relations with Panama remain stable. That’s the word from Deputy Foreign Minister Simon Ko on Monday.
Ko told lawmakers that relations between the two sides have been stable and friendly. That’s despite the fact that trade volume between China and Panama is far greater than trade between Taiwan and Panama, and the fact that the Chinese-speaking community in Panama is dominated by new immigrants from China’s Guangdong province.
Panama was rumored to be considering switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, because of China’s rapid economic growth since the 1990s. However, Ko said relations between the two are unlikely to undergo a drastic shift unless there are major changes. Ko said Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela is well aware that “maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan while strengthening trade ties with China” is in Panama’s best interests.
Ko said the government will strengthen cooperation with Panama. That includes offering scholarships to Panamanian students and arranging exchanges between lawmakers and high-ranking government officials from both countries.