Panama City: China urged Panama to ‘resist external interruption’ on Belt and Road cooperation amid threats by US President Donald Trump to take control of the critical Panama Canal. ‘We hope the relevant party will strengthen confidence, resist external interruption, and make the right decision while keeping in mind the overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the people of the two countries,’ Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in response to a question by Anadolu.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lin said Beijing ‘firmly opposes and has lodged protests against the US,’ while calling comments by Washington ‘intentionally distorted, attacked and mischaracterized relevant cooperation,’ as per a transcript of a news conference released by the ministry.
After meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino announced that his government would not renew a 2017 pact under the Belt and Road initiative with China, under which Beijing has expanded investments in Panama. Mulino further stated that his government would evaluate terminating the agreement early.
Beijing responded by asserting that the initiative is currently proceeding as “normal.” Panama’s decision came in the wake of President Trump’s claims that Panama violated its agreement with the US on the canal and his declaration that the US would reclaim control of the canal, citing Chinese influence as a concern.
China countered these assertions by stating that it has never interfered with the Panama Canal, emphasizing that Beijing has ‘not been involved in the management or operation of the Panama Canal.’