A high-level delegation from the National People's Congress of China (NPC) visited Panama to hold a bilateral meeting with the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO) with the aim of strengthening cooperation relations with the region. The mission was led by LI Hongzhong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, and was received by Elías A. Castillo G., executive secretary of PARLATINO, on behalf of the president deputy, Rolando González Patricio.
Also present at the meeting was Deputy Didiano Pinilla, first vice president of the National Assembly of Panama and member of the Board of Directors of PARLATINO. Additionally, the First Lady of Panama, Maricel Cohen de Mulino, and the Minister of Culture, Maruja Herrera, greeted the Chinese parliamentary delegation.
The Chinese delegation showed special interest in issues such as the implementation of green energies in Panama, given that China is a major user of the Panama Canal and the Colón Free Zone, and seeks to strengthen cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean. The parliamentarians highlighted the solid friendship between PARLATINO and the NPC of China, which has been maintained for 20 years, and expressed their willingness to increase exchanges within the framework of the 60th Anniversary of the regional legislative forum.
LI Hongzhong emphasized the importance of trade between China and Latin America and the Caribbean, amounting to 500 billion dollars per year, and proposed to strengthen cooperation in the development of green energies such as wind, photovoltaic, and hydrogen. The NPC of China has been an observer member of PARLATINO since 2004 and actively participates in its general assemblies. The next general assembly will take place on December 4.
