Chinese ambassador to Panama Mr. Weiqiang recently published a signed article on Financiero, a popular local internet media outlet, entitled “Only through Solidarity Can there be a Future”, in which the ambassador elaborated on the Global Security Initiative and the Global Development Initiative (GDI) put forward by President Xi Jinping and looked into future China-Panama cooperation. The main content of the article runs as follows:
The world is witnessing changes unseen in a century compounded by the once-in-a-century pandemic. The international situation is fraught with turmoil and instabilities. Countries, developing countries in particular, are mired in difficulties. The progress in poverty reduction in many countries has been reversed to various extents. Efforts for implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are faltering. What is worse, the Cold War mentality is still haunting us. Going against the trends of the times, hegemony and group politics are instigating division and confrontation, which puts the world in jeopardy. At this critical historical juncture, we should be guided by the need to build a community with a shared future for mankind and stand united and forge ahead together like passengers in the same boat.
Facing the volatile international situation, China calls on the international community to respond to the requirements of the times and people’s aspirations for a vision of common, comprehensive, coorporative and sustainable security. It should be based on the UN Charter, and the principles of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and never interfering into other countries’ internal affairs. It should stand opposed to the abuse of sanctions, unilateralism and group confrontation, recognize the principle of indivisible security, respect the reasonable security concerns of all countries and reject pursuing one’s own interests at the expense of others. For this purpose, we earnestly need to build a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture, support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of crises, and say no to double standards or “putting oil on fire”. We must stand hand-in-hand in dealing with both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, such as regional disputes, terrorism, climate change, cyber security and bio-security.
In order to work together with the international community for the above-mentioned goals, President Xi Jinping recently put forward the global security initiative, which provides prompt answers to the questions of the world and of our times, pointing the direction for eliminating the root causes of international conflicts and for realizing enduring peace and security in the world.
It is worth stressing that to solve problems of development is crucial for ensuring integral and invisible security, which merits the attention of the world. To that end, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative aimed at accelerating the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and for more robust, green and sound global development, which goes directly to address the root cause of the problems.
The GDI calls on the world to jointly build a new platform for international cooperation focusing on the key areas of poverty reduction, food security, epidemic response and vaccine, development financing, climate change & green development, industrialization, digital economy, and connectivity, which aims at harmonizing with existing global, regional and sub-regional development initiatives and processes so as to realize the 17 SDGs on time. The GDI upholds multilateralism and open cooperation based on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and welcomes the active participation of governments, the private sector, the academia and social organizations.
Five years ago, China and Panama made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations based on the One China principle, which effectively consolidated the international consensus that there is only one China in the world. Five years on, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes, the two countries have pressed ahead with cooperation in various areas and ushered in fruitful results. China and Panama are complementary in trade. Thanks to the strong support of the two governments, bilateral trade has grown with robust momentum. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two sides have signed six agreements on the inspection and quarantine of farm produce, with remarkably satisfactory results especially when it comes to agreements concerning beef, cobio, pineapple, and banana. Relevant departments of the two countries are working hard to overcome the impact of the pandemic and implement relevant agreements on chicken, pork and a variety of marine products. As the second largest economy in the world, while exporting in large quantities, China also imports in large quantities, which will amount to US$ 20 trillion in the next 10 years. Panama enjoys unique geographical advantages as the regional logistics, shipping, aviation, commercial and financial center. The two sides enjoy tremendous potential and bright prospects for deepening cooperation
Varied in our national conditions, the two countries have a high degree of consensus and extensive common interests on pursuing free trade, connectivity and an open and inclusive economy. Both sides practice multilateralism and hold the view that the global economy is highly integrated, with markets around the world deeply intertwined. Therefore, countries should further expand trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, jointly improve global governance, safeguard the interests of various countries and make globalization more balanced and beneficial for all with its continuous progress.
Foreign minister Mouynes stressed on many occasions recently that Panama is ready to restart negotiations on the free trade agreement between the two countries. China holds an open attitude to this and is ready to engage with Panama to strive for a high-quality FTA at an early date based on existing efforts.
