Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen kick-started her first overseas trip in Panama on Saturday, as Taiwan aims to deepen a bilateral relationship with one of its key allies. Taiwan's effort to shore up its ties with Panama, one of only 22 countries that recognize Taiwan as an autonomous entity, assumes importance in the wake of Beijing's continuous pursuit to enhance its influence in the Latin American region.             

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Tsai met Panama's president, Juan Carlos Varela, at the Presidential Palace on Monday. Both leaders are reported to have discussed a host of political and economic issues. After the meeting, both leaders addressed a joint press conference where they promised to work hard to take their bilateral relationship further.

Earlier on Sunday, Tsai attended the inauguration of the expanded Panama Canal, which will allow bigger cargo ships to transit through the canal. The inauguration function was attended by many foreign dignitaries, including Jill Biden, wife of U.S. vice president Joe ­Biden.

After Panama, Taiwan's president will fly to Paraguay, another one of the island nation's key allies. Analysts say that Taiwan is anxious to maintain its relation with these two South American countries, as it does not want to allow China to poach any more of its allies.

In past, Beijing has stolen many of Taiwan's allies, in a bid to isolate the island nation at the international level. Meanwhile, last week China suspended all diplomatic communication with Taiwan, as it accused Taiwanese leaders of not acknowledging the "One China" principle.          

The Taiwanese president conspicuously omitted the mention of "One China" principle during her inaugural speech, infuriating officials in China. Chinese government saw the omission as Taiwan's assertion of its sovereignty.

Cross strait relation experts claim that Tsai is likely to express her pro-independent views through many tough anti-China policies, but at the same time, she will make sure not to infuriate China too much.

TagsTaiwan, Panama, china, China and Taiwan, Cross-Strait relation, Tsai Ing-wen