Panama, Aug. 31 (CNA) Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian arrived in Panama Tuesday for a two-day state visit.
The president, after a brief transit stop in Hawaii, arrived in the Central American country at 2 p.m. Tuesday to the warm welcome of Panamanian First Vice President Arturo Ulises Vallarino, Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Bazan Jimenez, and ROC Ambassador to Panama David C. Y. Hu.
Accompanied by Bazan Jimenez, Chen accepted the salute of the Panamanian honor guard and waved to the international media on hand.
Chen then went to the Panamanian Presidential Office to meet with outgoing President Mireya Elisa Moscoso for bilateral talks, and then with President-elect Martin Torrijos who will be sworn in Sept. 1.
Later, Chen was interviewed by Panamanian media, the AFP, the AP, and the Medcom group.
At night, President Chen attended a state banquet hosted by President Moscoso at her official residence which was also attended by other heads of state coming to Panama for the inauguration of the new Panamanian president.