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Good question!  Due to Panama's unique history and geography, the country's population is a diverse mix of indigenous, European, Asian and Afro-Caribbean ancestries.  Most of the Chinese influences in Panama came about as a result of railroad - and later canal - construction workers who were recruited from China towards the end of the 19th century and during the beginning of the 20th.  So, in general, these Chinese influences have been present in Panama for over a century, all the while blending with other ethnicities and cultures in Panama.  They are an established presence in Panamanian culture. 

On the other hand, there are many Anglo Europeans and American families and ancestors who have been a part of Panama for just as long as the Chinese.  Some of these American, Italian, German, British and French influences were the result of explorers, wayward gold prospectors, farmers, railroad and canal engineers, and military men.  Like the Chinese, their influences have tended to acculturate into the pan-ethnic culture of Panama. 

Finally, there is a distinct "new wave" of foreigners (mainly from North America) who have only recently moved to Panama within the past decade and certainly post-Noriega.  In contrast to the earlier foreign influences I've discussed above, these individuals tend to be older and married (i.e. little probability that these individuals will marry into the local population or reproduce within Panama).  Additionally, the majority of this "new wave" of foreigners are consumption-oriented rather than labor-oriented; this is to say, they flock to Panama not to work but rather to consume and enjoy lifestyles of leisure.  For these reasons, I argue in my book that this new wave of foreigners are less likely to assimilate and acculturate into Panamanian life, less likely to speak Spanish fluently, and less likely to establish longterm ties or an enduring legacy within the country.