Beijing says it regrets Panama’s decision to end its foreign infrastructure development plan, accusing the US of “blocking” it.
Newsweek contacted the White House by email in a request for comment.
Why is it important?
Panama’s President Jose Raul Murino told reporters Thursday that he was retreating for a 90-day withdrawal from the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), a trillion dollar program that has seen 150 countries participate since its launch in 2013. He said he handed the notification to China. .
The announcement follows tensions with Washington on the Panama Canal, a key global trade route the US gave to Panama in 1999 decades after administering the 51-mile waterway. President Donald Trump claims that China has control over it and has vowed to “recover it” citing national security concerns.
China has denied all allegations that it has any role in running the Panama Canal.
What do you know
During a regular press conference at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, spokesman Lin Jiang said that BRI has positively impacted many countries, with China renewing its 2017 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in its initiative He said he “deeply regrets” Panama’s decision not to do so.
He also denounced the United States for “smearing and obstructing belts through means of pressure and forcing, road cooperation.”
When reporters pointed out that Murino said the withdrawal was his decision, Lin emphasized that China’s Panamaian bonds had grown strongly, producing “a fruitful outcome under the BRI framework.” He called on the Latin American nation to “make the right decision.”
The US says BRI is equivalent to “debt trap diplomacy,” with developing countries hosting China-built megaprojects struggling to pay off loans, and Beijing gains strategic control over key infrastructure This quotes the case.
Meanwhile, Rubio calls Panama’s exit from the initiative “a big step forward.”
On Thursday, Murino rejected the US State Department’s claim earlier this week – now back, but Panama agreed to waive the transportation fees for US government ships through the canal. The neutral treaty signed by both countries in 1977 prevents the priority treatment of any country in terms of canal transport.
“(Panama) expresses my absolute rejection that I continue to explore the management of bilateral relations based on lies and falsehoods,” Murino shares the country’s diplomatic mission. It said in a statement.
The Trump administration overly criticised the fees charged on US ships, particularly those belonging to the US Navy, calling them “a complete rift.”
Associated Press
What people are saying
Panama President Jose Raul Murino told reporters Thursday: In this country? ”
“We will keep Panama in mind the bilateral relationship and the long-term interests of the two, avoiding external confusion and making the right decisions,” said Lin Jiang, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I hope that is.”
What happens next?
The Trump administration has yet to provide evidence that China is directly involved in running the Panama Canal.
A subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports Holdings manages ports on both sides of the canal. Panama’s Chief General’s Office has announced an audit of the company that it has pledged to cooperate.
