The Chinese Foreign Minister conveyed a message to the Panamanian government, which seized two ports operated by a Hong Kong company, stating that relations should not be disrupted by third parties, following the controversy initiated by President Trump regarding China's presence in the Panama Canal.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, after the discussion initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding China's presence and influence in the Panama Canal, sent a message to the Panamanian government, which seized two ports operated by a Hong Kong company, emphasizing that relations should not be disrupted by third parties.

According to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Wang met with his Panamanian counterpart Javier Martinez-Acha on the sidelines of a session held at the United Nations Security Council, where China assumed the monthly presidency.

Wang stated that the bilateral relations have progressed smoothly in the nine years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama, providing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries. He expressed, 'China's relations with Panama do not target third parties; therefore, they should not be disrupted by third parties.'

Wang reminded that the China-Panama relationship has a long history, with many Chinese workers contributing to the country's economic and social development by working on railway constructions and the construction of the Panama Canal in the 19th century.

Emphasizing that China wishes to maintain healthy and stable relations in line with the original purpose of establishing diplomatic relations with Panama, Wang noted that they are ready to work together to deepen pragmatic cooperation and eliminate external interventions.

Panamanian Minister Martinez-Acha stated that the people of China are not forgotten in Panama's railway and canal projects, expressing their readiness to work with Beijing to resolve differences through constructive dialogue based on mutual respect, build strong trust, and open a new chapter in the relations between the two countries.

Seized Chinese Ports in the Panama Canal

The two ports located at the entrance and exit of the Panama Canal, operated by the port company CK Hutchison, based in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since 1997, became the focal point of the power struggle and influence debate between the two countries after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that 'China controls the canal.'

After the Panamanian Supreme Court annulled the law transferring the concession rights of the ports to the Hong Kong company, the Panamanian government seized the ports on February 23, taking control.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye