China–Panama relations

China–Panama relations are the bilateral relationships between the People's Republic of China and Republic of Panama. Relations between Panama and the Qing dynasty began in 1909 and modern relations between Panama and the Beiyang government of China began on 2 January 1922. After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, relations were maintained with the Nationalist government of the ROC which retreated to the island of Taiwan, a former Qing province and later a dependency of the Empire of Japan that ruled from 1895 to 1945.

After breaking off relations with the Republic of China in June 2017, Panama established diplomatic relations with the mainland government of the People's Republic of China. On 26 July 2017, the PRC's Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the trade office of China in Panama has been upgraded to China's Embassy in Panama on 13 July and has started its business. “History and socioeconomic reality” were cited as reasons for the change. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela said that the move was backed by diplomatic relationships dating back to 1912 and the move strengthened existing relationships, despite the fact that those relationships were with the ROC, not the PRC.