On April 24-26, the 5th round negotiation of China-Panama FTA was held in Beijing. On the basis of the former negotiations, the two parties had in-depth consultation on issues like trade in goods, trade in services, financial services, investment, rule of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, trade remedy, trade and economic cooperation, as well as legal issues. The negotiation gained positive progress.

To launch the construction of China-Panama Free Trade Area is the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Panama. In June 2018, China and Panama announced the initiation of China-Panama FTA negotiation officially.