Taiwan just won a diplomatic boost in Panama, a country that cut ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing years ago — good news for Taiwan's push to stay connected without formal recognition.

• Panama's Congress set up a group for exchanges with Taiwan's legislature, signed by 45 lawmakers.
• That's more than 60% of the whole chamber, and twice the size of the pro-China group.
• Top figures joined, including the speaker, both deputy speakers, and the foreign affairs committee chair.
• The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China pushed the effort, part of a wider campaign to build ties with Taiwan across democracies.
• More than 20 Panamanian lawmakers have visited Taiwan in the past half year, laying the groundwork.

Outlook: Expect more parliament-level exchanges and trade talk between Taipei and Panama City, though formal diplomatic relations remain out of reach for now.