The Foreign Ministry noted in a statement that the agreements were reached at the end of a visit by a high-level Panamanian delegation to Beijing on July 16-17, led by Luis Roquebert, director general of the Panama Maritime Authority (PMA).

The mission responded to a request by the administration of President Jose Raul Mulino to address with Chinese authorities and specialists the inspection and detention of ships under the Panamanian flag in Chinese ports.

Both sides talked on the renewal of the Maritime Transport Agreement between Panama and China, as well as exchanged technical criteria on port state control to strengthen bilateral cooperation, boost best practices, and reinforce navigational safety.

The Panamanian government considered the visit a step toward strengthening cooperation in maritime trade, navigational safety, and the development of the national maritime sector.

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