US undermines Panama Canal neutrality by harassment, coercion — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Lead

The United States and China have traded accusations over the Panama Canal, with Washington voicing concerns about China's actions in Panama and Beijing accusing the US of undermining the canal's neutral status. The exchange comes amid Panama's decision to strip a Hong Kong-based company of concessions to operate ports at the canal.

Coverage Comparison

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed "serious concerns" over China's intensified inspections of Panama-flagged vessels, vowing that the US "stands firmly" with Panama. According to a State Department statement, Rubio said China's recent actions "raise serious concerns about the use of economic tools to undermine the rule of law in Panama, a sovereign nation and vital partner for global commerce."

Rubio's remarks were reported by the South China Morning Post, which also noted Washington's accusation that Beijing ramped up inspections and detentions of Panama-flagged ships in retaliation for Panama's decision to revoke concessions from Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning, in comments carried by Russia's TASS news agency, rejected the US accusations as "absolutely groundless" and accused the US of "unilateral harassment and coercion" that undermines the canal's neutral status. "Who exactly, through unilateral harassment and coercion, openly undermines the neutral status of the Panama Canal and violates the rules of fair global competition?" Mao Ning asked at a news conference.

Key Claims

• China's inspections of Panama-flagged vessels: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that China has intensified inspections of Panama-flagged vessels, describing the actions as raising "serious concerns about the use of economic tools to undermine the rule of law in Panama." This claim was reported by the South China Morning Post.
• China's protest over Panama's port transfer: According to TASS, Panama "forcibly transferred" terminals to state management in February, provoking a "strong protest" from China. The claim of a protest by China is reported by TASS.

Perspectives

The US, as articulated by Secretary Rubio, frames China's actions as detrimental to global supply chains and the rule of law in Panama. Rubio emphasized that "detentions, delays, or other impediments to the movement of vessels undermine the stability of global supply chains, increase costs for businesses and consumers, and erode confidence in the international trading system."

China, through Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning, rejects these accusations, asserting that the US is projecting its own "hegemonic nature" and is the party undermining the canal's neutral status. Mao Ning stated that China will "continue to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests."

The dispute occurs against a backdrop of broader tensions, including US President Donald Trump's repeated statements about restoring American control over the Panama Canal, as reported by TASS. Trump has called China's commercial presence on the waterway a threat to US security and trade interests.

Panama's decision to revoke CK Hutchison's concessions, which the South China Morning Post reported as an action to strip Panama Ports Company of its operating rights at both ends of the canal, has been a focal point of the disagreement.

Conclusion

The exchange of accusations reflects the deepening rift between the US and China over influence in the Western Hemisphere, with the Panama Canal serving as a flashpoint. While the US asserts that China is using economic pressure to undermine Panama's sovereignty, China maintains that the US is engaging in coercion to dominate the strategic waterway. The full implications for the canal's operations and regional relations remain to be seen.