Vice President Vincent C. Siew, Mrs. Siew, and a delegation from the ROC spent their first day in the Republic of Panama on May 16. At 10:15 a.m. local time (11:15 p.m. on May 16 Taipei time), the vice president accepted a key to Panama City from the city's Mayor Bosco Vallarino. Upon receiving the key, Vice President Siew said that the Republic of Panama is an important ally of the Republic of China, and that the two countries enjoy a sincere and harmonious alliance, with close and friendly relations at the central and local government levels, as well as among the private sectors. The vice president added that this is his fourth visit to Panama since entering government service and that he has witnessed the rapid progress made by Panama over the course of his career. The nation has become a model not only for the region, but for developing nations as a whole, and the vice president said he shares in their pride on this account.
Vice President Siew remarked that Panama City has experienced vibrant development under the leadership and policies of Mayor Vallarino, who has lost nearly 80 kilos in order to better run the municipal government. The vice president said he was quite impressed by this achievement. Noting that Panama City and Taipei City are sister cities, the vice president stated that Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) hopes to invite his counterpart to visit Taipei to bolster interaction and understanding between the two cities.
Shortly after the meeting Vice President Siew headed to Panama's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Carlos Varela. After brief discussions, the two vice presidents witnessed the formal signing of a visa-waiver agreement between the two countries for diplomats, officials, consuls, and those with special passports.
At the same time, Mrs. Siew was accompanied by Mrs. Varela on a tour of the historical structure housing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two also walked to Panama's National Theatre, French Square, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and other sites in the old town. Mrs. Siew said that the walk through the streets offered her a glimpse into the culture of Panama City and made a deep impression on her.
At noon, Vice President Siew and Mrs. Siew returned to their hotel for a luncheon with overseas compatriots residing in Panama. In remarks to the gathering, the vice president said he is pleased to see the thriving development experienced by Panama. He also specially expressed his deepest regards to overseas compatriots for their contributions in this respect. Vice President Siew noted that ethnic Chinese first immigrated to Panama 158 years ago, leaving an indelible mark by helping to build the Panama Railroad (the world’s first transcontinental railway) and the Panama Canal, and by integrating themselves into Panamanian society with the industrious and thrifty spirit of the ethnic Chinese. In addition, ethnic Chinese have made outstanding achievements in Panama's political, economic, and business arenas, the vice president said, noting that their pragmatic spirit is worthy of emulation.
Vice President Siew commented that Panama and the ROC established diplomatic relations in 1909, making Panama the ROC's oldest diplomatic ally. The relationship features close ties especially in the area of economic and trade ties. Panama was the first nation to sign a free trade agreement with the ROC, the vice president pointed out, noting that since the agreement took effect in 2004, bilateral trade has risen steadily, hitting US$334.9 million in 2010, up 263% from 2003, the year before the agreement was implemented. Taiwan has 71 investment projects in Panama worth a combined total of US$1.282 billion, he said. Meanwhile, Panama has a total of 61 investments in the ROC worth US$832.6 million. The initiatives by both sides have not only created greater business opportunities and jobs, but also have fostered even closer relations, the vice president said.
Turning to the subject of Taiwan's economic situation and the current state of cross-strait relations, the vice president expressed appreciation for the longstanding strong support of overseas compatriots, especially the important role they played in the 1911 Revolution, the establishment of the ROC, the War of Resistance against Japan (1937-1945), and the development of Taiwan's economy. Vice President Siew remarked that this year marks the ROC centennial, and in connection therewith, overseas compatriot groups have established preparatory committees and are enthusiastically organizing and participating in celebrations to express their support for Taiwan's core values of freedom, democracy, and human rights. Vice President Siew stated that on March 29 of this year a torch was lit in Honolulu and is being relayed across the globe to show the world that the values of freedom and democracy upon which the ROC was founded have been realized in Taiwan. The vice president encouraged overseas compatriots everywhere to remember with gratitude the selfless contributions of our forefathers, and to forge solidarity among overseas compatriots of all backgrounds to create an even more resplendent next 100 years for the ROC. At the same time, he called on overseas compatriots to take the opportunity, when they have time away from work, to come to Taiwan and see for themselves the progress and prosperity that have been achieved in the ROC.
At 3:30 p.m. (4:30 a.m. on May 17 Taipei time), Vice President and Mrs. Siew and the delegation were accompanied by Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Varela to the Miraflores Lock on the Panama Canal. Vice President and Mrs. Siew were briefed on the operation of the waterway by Alberto Alemán Zubieta, the head of the canal management authority, and also toured the control room, where they operated the lock themselves. Vice President and Mrs. Siew then watched a vessel pass slowly through the Miraflores Lock. The Panama Canal is 80 kilometers long and includes a system of three locks between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The Miraflores Lock, one of the three in operation, was opened in 1914.