A Chinese envoy said in Panama City Tuesday that China wishes to develop all-round relations with Panama despite the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries.  

Yang Fajin, representative of the Commercial Development Bureau of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Panama, said communications between the two peoples would be beneficial when meeting with Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso.

Yang hoped the Moscoso government would offer facilities, particularly in visa issuing, to Chinese businessmen who planned to visit and invest in Panama.

During the meeting, Yang congratulated Moscoso and her country, on behalf of the Chinese government, over the centennial of Panama which became a republic in 1903.

He invited Moscoso to participate in the celebration on March 30, 2004 marking the 150th anniversary of the Chinese arrival in this Central American country.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2003)