Panama’s Ministry of Culture will lead the reconstruction of a monument commemorating 150 years of Chinese presence in the country. The original structure was demolished last week in Arraiján, west of Panama City. Government officials moved quickly to distance the national executive from the demolition and assure China the bilateral relationship remains strong.
Secretary of Goals José Ramón Icaza confirmed the directive from President Laurentino Cortizo. He stated the monument will be rebuilt on the exact same site. The decision follows a formal presidential communication ordering its restoration.
“The president has been very clear. The monument will be rebuilt on the same site, as established by the statement issued by the president. Funds and resources will be allocated based on who is responsible. We will have to see which institution will be in charge. The president has instructed the Ministry of Culture, so that will subsequently be managed.” [Translated from Spanish]
Icaza provided crucial clarification about the land ownership. He explained the property does not belong to the Arraiján Mayor’s Office. The site is owned by the Caja de Ahorros (Panama), a national savings bank. The land was under a concession agreement that had already expired according to his information.
Diplomatic Relations Remain Unaffected
Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez addressed the diplomatic dimension. He confirmed the incident did not escalate into an international crisis. The ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Panama visited the demolition site. China’s Foreign Ministry also issued a formal note requesting explanations.
“We did not have to wait for any note to regret the incident and criticize the decision. The Executive Branch regretted what happened, and the president has expressed the intention to rebuild the monument on the same site. That is what I can say about it.” [Translated from Spanish]
The Foreign Minister was emphatic. He stated the episode has not damaged the important bilateral relationship. Panama’s executive branch is completely distanced from the decision to demolish the structure. This clear position helped contain potential diplomatic fallout.
Officials have not yet defined the funding source for the reconstruction project. The original monument’s demolition reportedly cost over nine thousand dollars. Determining responsibility for that action will guide the allocation of new funds. The Ministry of Culture (Panama) will now manage the planning and execution phases.
This incident occurs within a broader context of strengthening ties. Panama established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 2017. The two nations have since expanded economic and cultural cooperation. The monument itself symbolized a century and a half of Chinese community contributions to Panamanian society.
Its destruction caused immediate concern. The government’s rapid response aims to demonstrate respect for that shared history. Rebuilding the structure is now framed as a matter of national commitment.
The focus shifts to the Ministry of Culture’s next steps. Officials must develop a timeline, design, and budget. They will also need to coordinate with the Chinese embassy and the Caja de Ahorros regarding the land. The incident underscores the delicate balance between local authority actions and national foreign policy objectives.
Panama’s commitment to reconstruction signals the value it places on its China–Panama relations. The government seeks to transform an act of local demolition into a reaffirmation of international partnership. The new monument will likely carry even greater symbolic weight once completed.