BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Laurentino Cortizo on his election as president of Panama.
In a congratulatory message sent Friday to Cortizo, Xi recalled that China and Panama formally established diplomatic relations in June 2017, opening a new chapter in bilateral ties.
Bilateral practical cooperation has since boomed in various fields and achieved fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries, said Xi.
Facts have proven that the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Panama is in line with the shared aspirations and fundamental interests of the two countries and their people, said Xi. He added that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Panama ties, and stands ready to work with Cortizo to lift bilateral relations to a higher level on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, so as to better serve the two countries and their people. (Xinhua)