Mr. Chen Guangping, Director of the China Liaison Office of the US China Times and Vice President of the US China Investment Promotion Association in China, warmly welcomed the new (first) Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to China, Shi Kefang, at his visit

United States Chen Guangping (left), China Liaison Office of the US China Times

First Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to China, Shi Kefang (right)

Chen Guangping, Director of the China Liaison Office of the US China Times, welcomes the newly appointed (first) Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to China, Shi Kefang, upon his visit

Time: June 26, 2019

United States Mr. Chen Guangping, Director of the China Liaison Office of the US China Times and Vice President of the US China Investment Promotion Association in China, welcomed the new (first) Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to China, Shi Kefang, in Shenzhen today (June 26).

Panama severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 2017 and established diplomatic relations with the Chinese government.

The Embassy of the Republic of Panama in China is an administrative agency established by the Republic of Panama in the People's Republic of China.

On November 16, 2017, the Embassy of Panama in China officially opened in Beijing.

Opening date: November 16, 2017

Background information: On June 13, 2017, China officially established diplomatic relations with Panama and severed its so-called "diplomatic relations" with Taiwan.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than five months after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Panama and China, the two countries have simultaneously launched more than ten cooperation agreements, covering various fields such as economy and trade, investment, quality inspection, maritime transportation, civil aviation, finance, tourism, culture, and justice.

On November 16, 2017, the Embassy of Panama in China officially opened in Beijing. Chinese and Pakistani officials such as Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Assistant Foreign Minister Qin Gang, Chinese Ambassador to Panama Wei Qiang and Panama Ambassador to China Shi Kefang also witnessed this historic moment.

Current leader Shi Kefang: Panama Ambassador to China.

Global Times

On the 22nd, the Panamanian government announced the appointment of Francisco Escoba Pedreki as the country's first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to China.

The Pakistani Embassy in China told Global Times reporters that, in the context of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan in June this year, the government of the People's Republic of China welcomes Francisco Escoba Pedreki as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Panama to China.

On June 13th, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Panamanian Vice President and Foreign Minister De San Malo in Beijing and signed the Joint Communique between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Panama on Establishing Diplomatic Relations, announcing the official establishment of ambassadorial level diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Escoba Pedre, with his rich work experience, personal experience, and foreign service experience, was appointed to this position by Panama's President Juan Carlos Barrera. In 2009, Escoba Pedreki served as Panama's Ambassador to Canada, during which he focused on enhancing bilateral relations and enhancing bilateral trade, including agreeing to sign a free trade agreement. In 2014, he served as the Ambassador of Panama to Cuba, facilitating Cuba's first participation in the Summit of the Americas, promoting trade between the two countries after the restoration of diplomatic relations, and providing visa convenience for Cuban citizens to travel to Panama.

It is reported that the first Panamanian ambassador to China graduated from Louisiana State University with a major in finance and obtained a Master's degree in Business Administration in Marketing and International Trade from the University of Central Florida.

Escoba Pedreki has accumulated rich experience in both public and personal fields. He has previously worked in the aviation industry and held a management position at a US multinational logistics company in the Cologne Free Trade Zone. The company's main business includes LCL and land, air, and sea transportation of goods.

On the 23rd, Lin Jinzhen, the Charg é d'affaires of the Panamanian Embassy in China, told Global Times reporters that the specific time for the ambassador to take office is still unclear.

On the 22nd, Escoba Pedreki held a working meeting with President Barrela, Vice President and Foreign Minister Ms. De San Malo, Minister of Economy and Finance, Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Public Safety, Director of Maritime Affairs Bureau, and Director of Tourism Bureau. During the meeting, they received work reports from a delegation of representatives from the aforementioned departments visiting China.

The Panamanian Embassy in China stated that during Escoba Pedreki's tenure as Ambassador to China, it will consolidate the key areas proposed by President Barrera in the relationship between the two countries, including establishing a permanent political dialogue mechanism for seeking social peace, economic development, and common interests; Ensure population mobility that contributes to economic development and cultural exchange; Consolidate Panama's position as China's aviation and logistics hub as well as a commercial platform in the Americas.

Original link: http://www.sohu.com/a/323218157_99904217