BEIJING, June 13 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela exchanged congratulations Wednesday on the first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

(Photo/China Plus)

The two countries established diplomatic relations in June 2017, opening a new epoch for bilateral ties, Xi said in his congratulatory message to Varela.

"During your successful state visit to China in November, we discussed and made plans for the comprehensive development of bilateral ties," said Xi, adding that the seeds planted then have grown and are now bearing fruits.

Facts have shown that the establishment of China-Panama diplomatic ties was a right and far-sighted political decision made by both countries and has won the support of the two peoples, said Xi.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to China-Panama relations and is willing to work together with Varela to strengthen bilateral cooperation of mutual benefits in all fields, and make the China-Panama relations prosper and benefit the two peoples, based on the principles of mutual respect, cooperation and win-win, and common development.

Varela said that Panama and China have reached important consensuses and fruitful achievements over the past year, based on their traditional friendship and existing cooperation programs.

Varela said he is deeply proud of being involved in initiating the Panama-China ties and will continue to promote the ties with great enthusiasm.