Photo: Troops in the former US Howard Base in Panama. The threats from Trump were real – in December 1989 the US military invaded Panama to overthrow the country’s president.
The Chinese government on Friday condemned the U.S. sabotage of Belt and Road cooperation with Panama through the means of force.
China expressed regret over Panama’s decision not to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
This decision came after threats of military invasion of Panama by the Trump regime in Washington attacking the supposed Chinese “influence” over the Panama Canal. The latest move by the Washington oligarchs to use violence to bully others is consistent with the long history of thuggery, threats and outright military violence under the nefarious ‘Monroe Doctrine’ in Central America, and indeed around the world.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lin Jian, spoke against the backdrop of the announcement by Panama’s President José Mulino, saying he directed Panama to give the required 90-day notice for withdrawal from Belt and Road cooperation agreement with China .
Lin said, “China firmly opposes the U.S. smear and sabotage of Belt and Road cooperation through the means of pressuring and coercion, and deeply regrets Panama’s decision to not renew the MoU on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“The BRI is an economic cooperation initiative with the participation of more than 150 countries, including over 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries, and its outcomes have benefited people of many countries, including Panama.
“In recent years, China and Panama’s cooperation under the BRI has produced fruitful outcomes and continued to deliver tangibly for the two peoples.
“We hope that Panama will bear in mind the overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples, steer clear of external interference and make the right decision.”
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Panama, the two countries have seen comprehensive and rapid growth of bilateral relations.
Both parties had achieved fruitful outcomes in the cooperation under the framework of the BRI, which delivered tangibly for the two peoples.
Sources:
- China Environment News, editorial commentary, February 8, 2025.
- Vanguard, Nigeria, February 7, 2025. https://www.vanguardngr.com/…/china-opposes-us-moves…/
China Environment News 