China-Panama celebrated - Houston

Houston's Chinese community celebrates the June 13 establishment of diplomatic relationship of China and Panama by holding a discussion on its significance and impact on China, Panama and the US on Sunday. May Zhou / China Daily

'What people wanted' - Houston

Liu Hongmei, deputy consul general of China in Houston, speaks about the China-Panama relationship. "It is what people wanted. Panama didn't hesitate and didn't ask for conditions. There was no so-called 'deal' made to establish this relationship," Liu said. May Zhou / China Daily

Changing tide - Houston

Peter Li, a professor at the University of Houston, reviews the changing tide of international relationships between Chinese mainland and Taiwan since the 1950s. He said that the China-Panama relationship continues to show the trend of Chinese mainland's increasing power and influence over Taiwan's. May Zhou / China Daily

Belt and Road - Houston

Qiao Fengxiang (left), professor at Texas Southern University, and John Leung, chair of the Leung Cultural Exchange Foundation, take part in a discussion about the strong presence of Chinese commerce in Panama. Qiao pointed out that the relationship not only enables China to include South America in the Belt and Road Initiative, but also helps the US connect better with the initiative. May Zhou / China Daily