Visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela on Saturday in Panama City.[Photo/Xinhua]

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela told visiting Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday in Panama City that he is glad to be able to visit China this year.

Wang relayed President Xi Jinping's greetings to the president and said China is ready to make good preparations for the visit. He spoke of the hope that both countries would take the visit as an opportunity to introduce a new era of mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity.

Varela said he has been motivated by the rapid development of bilateral ties.

Wang commented that bilateral exchanges in various fields have surged in that time and the potential for cooperation has been fully unleashed.

Facts have proved that the diplomatic relations between China and Panama serve the fundamental, long-term interests of Panama and its people and were a correct strategic choice, Wang said.

Varela said Panama warmly responds to and actively supports the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Xi.

Panama is willing to fully use its unique geographical location, participate in building the Maritime Silk Road and work together with China to contribute to global connectivity, he added.

Panama will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, abide by its commitment to the Taiwan question made when its diplomatic relations with China were forged, and will in no way violate the one-China principle or damage mutual political trust, he said.

Francisco Carlo Escobar, the Panamanian ambassador to China, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that Panama will discuss with China the construction of several important Panamanian projects including the expansion of Tocumen International Airport and ports in Colon province.