Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will pay an official visit to Panama this week at the invitation of Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado, Panama’s vice president and foreign minister, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Monday.

Geng made the announcement at a daily press briefing, saying that Wang will pay an official visit to Costa Rica and Panama from Sept. 14 to 17 before he attends the UN General Assembly Annual General Debate in New York on Sept. 19.

Geng said that during Wang’s visit, he will meet with President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela and hold the first political consultation between the two governments with his Panamanian counterpart. The two sides will also inaugurate the Chinese embassy in Panama, said Geng.

Panama is an important Latin American country and there has been a long history of friendly exchanges between the two peoples, Geng said.

China and Panama established political relations in June, as the Panamanian government recognizes and promised to adhere to the one China policy and severed “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan.

“This unveils a new chapter in China-Panama relations,” said Geng, adding that China is willing to push forward relations with Panama with a quick start and in a steady way.