The unfounded claims of US President Donald Trump, that China controls the Panama Canal, prompted an op-ed by the Chinese ambassador to Panama, Xu Xueyuan, in the local newspaper La Estrella de Panamá. The diplomat explained China’s position and defended its economic interests in the Central American state, stating that the world should be more concerned with the threats emanating from Washington.
Xu emphasized that Beijing respects the neutrality of one of the world’s most important waterways, ensuring the global flow of goods in international trade. She rejected the allegations of Trump, saying, “The only side that has threatened the canal is the US. This is not only a threat to Panama but to the whole world.”
In her article, the diplomat also discussed the relations between China and Panama, highlighting their long history. The first Chinese people arrived in Panama in the 18th century to participate in the construction of a railway between the Atlantic and the Pacific and since then, the economic, cultural and trade ties between the two countries have continued to develop. The large Chinese market has recently opened up to Panamanian agricultural products like pork and chicken, as well as coffee. Xu compared these economic relations with those between Beijing and Washington, stating, “The trade volume between China and the US reached $688.28 billion, while more than 70,000 US companies have invested in China. Why do the US then see the activities of Chinese companies in Panama as an unprecedented threat?”
In the international community, all countries are equal and have the right to develop their diplomatic relations independently, the ambassador explained. No one has the right to dictate rules to other countries. If Washington truly aspires to a golden age for the two Americas, it must respect the Latin American countries and ask the people for their wishes.
“China has never intimidated Panama, but brought equality, respect, mutual benefits and development opportunities – including within the framework of the New Silk Road, to make more deals and build more roads and bridges for the benefit of the people” Xu said.
Meanwhile, the immense pressure from Washington is already showing negative effects on the bilateral relations between Panama and China. During a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the country, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced that his government would not renew the memorandum on the New Silk Road from 2017.
A statement from the State Department said that Rubio informed his counterpart, Javier Martínez-Acha and President Mulino of the position of US President Trump, stating that the current status quo is unacceptable. If no immediate changes occur, Washington will take measures to protect its rights. However, President Mulino reassured his people that his meeting with Rubio was “highly respectful and cordial” and that the risk of a US military intervention and the takeover of the canal by the US does not exist.