China is taking steps to increase its presence in Panama in order to expand its influence throughout Latin America, according to Panamanian president Juan Carlos Varela.
Varela made the comments upon returning home from a historic visit to China and meetings with President Xi Jinping. The two presidents signed 19 accords ranging from trade and investment to immigration, tourism and energy. Panama also opened its first embassy in China.
“This visit will mark a before and after, without any doubt,” Varela said.
The government of Panama expects investments from China for major infrastructure projects including ports, energy plants, a fourth bridge over the Panama Canal, a train line to the Costa Rican border, and a third metro line in the capital.
