Diplomacy

Analysis: Panama's Lawmakers Establish Taiwan Friendship Group

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By Klein/Dolphine/Leslie

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Almost 10 years after the two countries broke off diplomatic relations after more than a century, Panamanian lawmakers have established an interparliamentary friendship group with Taiwan. Henry Large, a Rhodes Scholar in Latin American Studies at Oxford University, discusses Taiwan's longstanding influence and commercial ties with Panama and what to expect regarding future exchanges.

Taiwan-Panama Interparliamentary Friendship Group Established

REPORTER:  
Taiwan’s legislature has established an interparliamentary friendship group with former diplomatic ally Panama.

Lin Chia-lung (TAIWAN FOREIGN MINISTER):  
Even though Taiwan and Panama [broke ties] in 2017, our people’s commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law has not changed. Today, cross-party parliamentarians in Panama have come together to establish an interparliamentary friendship group with Taiwan.

The two countries broke ties in 2017 when Panama switched recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The group’s establishment comes amid warming ties, with more than 20 Panamanian lawmakers visiting Taiwan over the past 6 months. According to the foreign ministry, more than 60 percent of Panama’s lawmakers have joined the group. Lawmakers from the US and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China praised the new development.