Taiwan and Panama on Monday signed a repatriation pact and vowed to strengthen cooperation in all areas, dpa reported.
The two sides vowed to boost diplomatic ties on the first day of Panama's Vice President and Foreign Minister Carlos Varela Rodriguez's visit to the island.
Later in the day, Varela and Taiwan's Foreign Minister Timothy Yang signed the repatriation pact and issued a statement praising diplomatic ties that they said date to China's Qing Dynasty in 1909.
"The two sides have many cooperation projects in trade, technology, education, social welfare, infrastructure, etc. They will continue to deepen these ties and promote friendship in future," the statement said.
Panama is one of only 23 small countries which recognize Taiwan, formally called the Republic of China. Half of those allies are in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Taiwan gives its allies generous aid, while they support its aspirations to join the United Nations and other international organizations.
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