As early as more than 100 years ago, China and Panama were inextricably linked because of the Panama Canal. Panama has been an old friend of China. On June 13 2017, China and Panama officially established diplomatic relations, which opened a new chapter in the friendly relations between the two countries.
June 13 2022 ushered in the fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During these five years, people of the two countries are interlinked and enjoy the same prospect. The friendly cooperation and close ties between the two sides have achieved milestone development.
On this occasion, The CGTN-Español produced the special program "Neighbors Thousands of Miles Away" for the fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. At the same time, the "China Panama Anecdotes" online activity was released. Young people from different cities of the two countries introduced their urban scenery, traditional culture, ecological environment, food, etc. in the form of short videos. They actively displayed their talents, enhanced friendly exchanges, and built a friendship bridge, which jointly played a new chapter in China Panama friendship.
Montanez Martinez Igor Enrique, a Panamanian graduate of Dalian Maritime University majoring in Electrical Engineering and Automation in 2014, told about his experience of studying, working and living in China for more than ten years through video. He praised China's rapid development, expressed his deep friendship with Chinese people, and wished friendship between the two countries everlasting!
Main content of the video:
Hello everyone, my name is Igor Montanez, and I’m a Panamanian living in China for the past 13 years. 5 years have passed since the establishment of diplomatic relationships between Panama and China, and for me it is an honor to be a sample of the product of the friendship between the two countries.
My arrival in China begun in 2009 when I was 18 years old and just have graduated from high school thanks to a scholarship granted by the Chinese government to study my career in China. I’ve lived in the city of Tianjin since the 1st year where I started to study mandarin. And from the 2nd year until today, I live in the city of Dalian, Liaoning Province. Product of that education have helped me to work in a company of automobile industry for the design and manufacture of automatic assembly lines. My wife comes from Tianjin and we met at the university and after being married, we have decided to be part of our home in Dalian. During these years, I’ve been able to witness the rapid development of China and live in the comforts and guarantees of being part of this developing society. I feel lucky to be able to get to know the historical and important cities of China along with its extraordinary culture. Writing and speaking the Chinese language has allowed me to fully understand the history and culture of this ancient society.
One of the things that impress me today wherever I go is that infrastructures and technologies designed for the benefit of society. The convenience of being able to make payments or sales, make reservations for all services, access to useful information, all from my cellphone or laptop in any location as well as food and social security are all extensive examples of the development of China as a great culture with the objective of bringing wellbeing to its people.
The history of our two countries has been interwined for many years since the construction of the 1st inter-oceanic railway on the Panama Canal. This historical presence of the Chinese community in Panama is confirmed today by census that shows that 10% of our population are ethnic Chinese. In these 5 years of diplomatic relations it is worth highlighting that China’s continuous investment in Panama to companies and objects open jobs and collaborate with development of Panama and its economy. As well as the social aids by China during the pandemic. At the same time, Panama has managed to start exporting Panamanian food products such as coffee and pineapples allowing Panamanian merchants to enter the Chinese market which has many growth opportunities.
I want to wish our countries a prosperous and long friendship！
Heartfelt thanks to ARANDA QUINTERO RUBI LORENA and ABAGA AVORO MIGUEL EDU for translation assistance
