Panama has announced that it is cutting ties with Taiwan and instead establishing relations with China. The shift is a major win for China as it seeks to
Panama has announced that it is cutting ties with Taiwan and instead establishing relations with China. The shift is a major win for China as it seeks to isolate Taiwan, which now has diplomatic relations with just 20 countries.
China and Panama announced the move in a joint statement, saying it was in the “interest and wishes of both peoples.” The two countries agreed to exchange ambassadors.
“The Government of the Republic of Panama recognizes that there is only one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, ” the statement reads.
“Eleven of the 20 countries left that recognize Taiwan are in Latin America and the Caribbean, ” NPR’s Carrie Kahn reported. Of the countries that still have ties, Panama has the largest economy.
The Panama Canal is a crucial waterway for trade. NPR’s Anthony Kuhn reports from Beijing that Panama “is emerging as a hub for China to ship its goods to South America, and Beijing has invested millions of dollars in infrastructure around the Panama Canal.
