Six Nations Support Panama's Concerns Over Chinese Pressure, Beijing Accuses US of Politicization
The US and five Latin American nations issued a joint statement supporting Panama's sovereignty, expressing concern that China's actions are politicizing maritime trade and infringing upon the sovereignty of Western Hemisphere nations. In response, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian accused the US of politicizing port issues and asserted that China would firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 17:33
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 18:01 (27 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 23:06 (5h 4m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 29th) In response to the joint statement by the United States and five Latin American countries supporting Panama's sovereignty and alleging that China's related actions attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe upon the sovereignty of Western Hemisphere nations, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian claimed today that it is the United States that is politicizing port issues, and China will firmly defend its "legitimate rights and interests" on port issues in Panama.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference this afternoon. CCTV News reported that Lin Jian made the above statement when answering questions from foreign media on related issues.
Lin Jian claimed that the relevant remarks are entirely "fabricated and distorting the facts." He stated, "Who has long occupied the Panama Canal, militarily invaded Panama, wantonly trampled on Panama's sovereignty and dignity, and who covets the Panama Canal, attempting to turn what should be a permanently neutral international waterway into its own canal, disregarding the sovereignty of regional countries? The answer is self-evident."
He claimed, "It is the United States that politicizes and securitizes port issues; it is also the United States that feigns concern and spreads rumors and smears everywhere."
Lin Jian also said that China's competent authorities conduct "normal inspections" of vessels "in accordance with the law and regulations." He added that China's position on port issues in Panama is clear, and it will firmly defend China's "legitimate rights and interests," advising relevant countries "not to be misled and exploited by forces with ulterior motives."
On the 28th, six countries, including the United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, issued a joint statement expressing support for Panama's sovereignty and stating that China's recent actions are an attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe upon the sovereignty of Western Hemisphere nations.
The US Department of State stated that the US is "closely monitoring China's targeted economic coercion and recent actions affecting Panamanian-flagged vessels," and that China's actions are a "blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe upon the sovereignty of nations in our hemisphere."
The US Department of State pointed out, "Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and must be free from any external pressure or interference. Any attempt to undermine Panama's sovereignty poses a threat to us."
In January, Panama's Supreme Court ruled that the contract for a subsidiary of Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings to operate two ports in the Panama Canal was unconstitutional. After the Panamanian government forcibly took over the port assets, there has been a significant increase in cases of Panamanian-flagged vessels being inspected and detained in Chinese ports, which is widely seen as a retaliatory measure by China. (Edited by Qiu Guojiang/Yang Shengru) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 29th) In response to the joint statement by the United States and five Latin American countries supporting Panama's sovereignty and alleging that China's related actions attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe upon the sovereignty of Western Hemisphere nations, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian claimed today that it is the United States that is politicizing port issues, and China will firmly defend its "legitimate rights and interests" on port issues in Panama.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference this afternoon. CCTV News reported that Lin Jian made the above statement when answering questions from foreign media on related issues.
Lin Jian claimed that the relevant remarks are entirely "fabricated and distorting the facts." He stated, "Who has long occupied the Panama Canal, militarily invaded Panama, wantonly trampled on Panama's sovereignty and dignity, and who covets the Panama Canal, attempting to turn what should be a permanently neutral international waterway into its own canal, disregarding the sovereignty of regional countries? The answer is self-evident."
He claimed, "It is the United States that politicizes and securitizes port issues; it is also the United States that feigns concern and spreads rumors and smears everywhere."
Lin Jian also said that China's competent authorities conduct "normal inspections" of vessels "in accordance with the law and regulations." He added that China's position on port issues in Panama is clear, and it will firmly defend China's "legitimate rights and interests," advising relevant countries "not to be misled and exploited by forces with ulterior motives."
On the 28th, six countries, including the United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, issued a joint statement expressing support for Panama's sovereignty and stating that China's recent actions are an attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe upon the sovereignty of Western Hemisphere nations.
The US Department of State stated that the US is "closely monitoring China's targeted economic coercion and recent actions affecting Panamanian-flagged vessels," and that China's actions are a "blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe upon the sovereignty of nations in our hemisphere."
The US Department of State pointed out, "Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and must be free from any external pressure or interference. Any attempt to undermine Panama's sovereignty poses a threat to us."
In January, Panama's Supreme Court ruled that the contract for a subsidiary of Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings to operate two ports in the Panama Canal was unconstitutional. After the Panamanian government forcibly took over the port assets, there has been a significant increase in cases of Panamanian-flagged vessels being inspected and detained in Chinese ports, which is widely seen as a retaliatory measure by China. (Edited by Qiu Guojiang/Yang Shengru) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.