In a press conference, the last before concluding her diplomatic mission, Xu clarified that although her country is not yet a party to the Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty, in effect since 1977, it has consistently supported the agreement and Panama’s sovereign rights over the interoceanic waterway.

  As an example of this commitment, she remembered that during the 1960s, Chinese leaders expressed solidarity with the Panamanian people’s struggle to regain sovereignty over the Canal.

  “The Chinese government has reiterated on numerous occasions that it respects Panamanian sovereignty over the Canal, as well as its permanent neutrality,” she emphasized.

  In response to questions about China’s accession to the Neutrality Treaty, the ambassador pointed out that her country would be willing to join the instrument should Taiwan withdraw from it.

  During the discussion with the media, the diplomat also highlighted the strengthening of bilateral relations through dialogue and cooperation.

  In that context, she mentioned the meeting held in New York between Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on the sidelines of a high-level meeting on upholding the Charter of the United Nations held at the United Nations Security Council.

  The head of the Sino diplomatic mission also emphasized the shared commitment of both governments to multilateralism and valued the deep cultural and historical connections that, in her view, strengthen the ties between Panama and China.

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