international

Relations with China urged

The Chinese president visited Costa Rica, one of the few countries in the region to welcome him.

la prensa

Hu Jintao1119434

Former Panamanian President Jorge Illueca said that the visit to Costa Rica by Chinese President Hu Jintao is of “extraordinary importance.”

“I believe that Costa Rica has taken a big step, and Panama must deal with this issue,” said Illueca.

The former president and negotiator pointed out that China is the second-largest user of the Panama Canal, and that not having formal relations with the country could harm Panama economically.

The same view is held by Miguel Ángel Candanedo, secretary general of the University of Panama. He said it is “absurd blindness of the various governments that Panamanians have not had the courage to establish relations with China, when even the United States maintains relations with its government.”

He called on presidential candidates to reconsider the government's policy.

To date, President Martín Torrijos has kept his word not to break relations with Taiwan, although he favors bilateral trade relations.

Jintao's visit to Costa Rica yesterday marks the first time a Chinese president has come to Central America, a region where several countries, maintain relations with Taiwan.

Hintao, who attended the G20 summit in Washington, will also visit Cuba and Peru.

Taiwan officials have pressed the Panamanian government not to recognize China, stressing the strong ties between the two countries.