President Tsai Ing-wen met President Juan Carlos Varela of Panama on Monday local time. Panama is the first leg of Tsai’s first overseas trip as president.
Tsai said she looks forward to Varela’s continued support in the development and stability of Taiwan’s relations with China. She also thanked the president for inviting her to witness the completion of the Panama Canal Expansion Project at a ceremony on Sunday. Tsai said she hopes to see more business and development opportunities accompany the canal expansion.
Taiwan’s president also said she spoke with Varela on future joint projects including public safety, education, medical cooperation and human resources.
President Varela likewise said he hopes that that there will be other cooperation plans with Taiwan in the future besides scholarship programs. He also reiterated Panama’s support for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
Tsai departed Panama on Monday and arrived in Paraguay, the second and last stop on her Latin America trip.