China’s Warning to Panama Over Taiwan Relations

On Monday, the Chinese government urged Panama to uphold the “One China Principle” to maintain its diplomatic relationship, following the formation of a working group by Panamanian lawmakers with their Taiwanese counterparts.

Recently, members of the Panamanian National Assembly announced the establishment of a “Panama-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group.” The aim of this group is to foster closer ties between the two legislative bodies and to explore opportunities for mutual benefit. Notably, this group includes 43 out of Panama’s 71 Congress members, which is over half of the country’s elected lawmakers.

The Chinese authorities have responded strongly, expressing their disapproval of this parliamentary initiative. In 2017, during the presidency of Juan Carlos Varela, Panama severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of establishing ties with China and endorsing the Chinese Communist Party’s “One China Principle.” This principle asserts that there is only one China and that Taiwan is merely a province of it, rather than an independent nation.

Reports indicated that U.S. Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, a co-chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, praised the formation of the group, which seems to have intensified China’s irritation.

In a press conference on Monday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry called on Panama to “honor its commitment” to the “One China Principle,” which it characterized as the cornerstone of Sino-Panamanian relations.

According to the Chinese state newspaper Global Times, the spokesperson emphasized that China opposes any official exchanges between countries maintaining diplomatic relations with both China and Taiwan. They declared, “We will not allow any external forces to meddle in China’s internal affairs.”

“There is only one China, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory,” the official stated, and they warned of “serious consequences” for any violations of the “Taiwan question.” Additionally, they urged the U.S. to adhere to the “One China Principle” and to refrain from sending signals that might encourage Taiwanese independence.

The establishment of the Panama-Taiwan parliamentary group has reportedly angered the Chinese government. Diplomatic sources in Panama indicated that Chinese officials reacted very strongly upon hearing about the group’s formation. Shortly after, the Chinese Embassy in Panama issued a lengthy statement accusing the group of violating both the “One China Principle” and Panama’s foreign policy. They asserted that the Chinese government is the “only legitimate government representing all of China,” which includes Taiwan.

In response to the situation, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino took to social media on Tuesday to clarify that the interactions and exchanges between the Panamanian and Taiwanese lawmakers “do not signify that the Executive Branch endorses them.”

“Foreign relations are managed by the executive branch,” he noted.

In contrast to the Chinese criticism, the Taiwanese government celebrated the formation of the parliamentary group. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, during a video address at the public announcement of the group, expressed hope that it would enhance legislative cooperation and lead to shared prosperity.

The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry also expressed gratitude for the strong support from various sectors in Panama and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering close cooperation with the Panamanian Parliament and the Taiwan Friendship Group to promote diplomatic ties and deepen the partnership between Taiwan and Panama.