China, Panama launch free trade negotiations

China and Panama on Tuesday launched negotiations for a free trade agreement, one year after they established diplomatic relations, according to China Central Television.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan (front, right) and Panamanian Minister of Trade and Industry Augusto Arosemena co-chair the first Joint Economic and Trade Committee Meeting between the Chinese and Panamanian governments in Beijing on June 12 2018. [Photo: Chinese Ministry of Commerce]

Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan and Panamanian Minister of Trade and Industry Augusto Arosemena co-chaired the first Joint Economic and Trade Committee Meeting between the Chinese and Panamanian governments in Beijing on Tuesday. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding, announcing the launch of negotiations for a China-Panama free trade agreement.

Both Zhong and Arosemena hoped that China and Panama could finish the negotiations for a free trade agreement as early as possible.

Chinese Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan (front, right) and Panamanian Minister of Trade and Industry Augusto Arosemena shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding in Beijing on June 12, 2018. [Photo: Chinese Ministry of Commerce]