On January 15-16, 2018, the first meeting of China-Panama FTA Joint Feasibility Study working group was held in Beijing. Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen met with the Panamanian delegation. He exchanged ideas on facilitating the process of Joint Feasibility Study with the head of the delegation and Panamanian Vice Minister of Commerce and Industry Gonzalez. During the meeting, both sides discussed the Joint Feasibility Study's working mechanism, the study report's framework and main points and the schedule ahead, and reached consensuses on the documents involving the scope of responsibilities that would direct their research work. Positive progress has been made in the meeting.

On November 17, 2017, witnessed by President Xi Jinping and Panamanian President Varela, Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan and Panamanian Minister of Commerce and Industries Arosemena signed a MoU, announcing to launch China-Panama FTA Joint Feasibility Study. The holding of the first meeting of China-Panama FTA Joint Feasibility Study working group marked the official launching of the construction of China-Panama Free Trade Zones.