Li Qiang, Party secretary of Shanghai, meets President of Panameñista Party Jose Luis Varela during his visit to Panama from July 17 to 19. [Photo/Xinmin Evening Post]

Shanghai signed a cooperation agreement with Panama City, capital city and the largest economic center of Panama, during the city's Party Secretary Li Qiang's visit to Panama from July 17 to 19.

The two cities agreed to cooperate and exchange ideas in the fields of the economy and trade, shipping, logistics, culture, education, transportation, tourism, and city governance.

Li met Jose Blandon, mayor of Panama City, and introduced Shanghai's goals of building five international centers in the fields of the economy, finance, trade, shipping, and sci-tech innovation, developing the city into an outstanding global hub, and improving its core competitiveness.

Li hoped that the two cities will use their advantages to promote common development and cooperation in shipping, trade, finance and tourism.

Blandon, who has visited Shanghai several times, said Shanghai's development and progress is impressive, and was looking forward to a deepened cooperation between the two cities in the fields of the economy, trade, tourism, shipping, and infrastructure construction, as well as strengthened exchanges between the civil services.

Li Qiang, Party secretary of Shanghai, meets Jose Blandon, mayor of Panama City, during his visit to Panama from July 17 to 19. [Photo/Xinmin Evening Post]

Additionally, Li met President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela and President of Panameñista Party Jose Luis Varela in the hope of promoting international cooperation between China and Panama.

Li also visited the Colón Free Trade Zone, the world's second largest free trade zone, to gather ideas for the further development of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.

Li Qiang, Party secretary of Shanghai, visits the Colón Free Trade Zone, the world's second largest free trade zone. [Photo/Xinmin Evening Post]