Beijing — China’s foreign ministry has urged the United States to stop spreading false information about China’s involvement in the Panama Canal, accusing Washington of attempting to assert control over the vital waterway.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry called on the U.S. to cease its smear campaigns against China and to stop obstructing normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Latin American countries, including Panama.
The remarks came after Panamanian media criticized U.S. interference in Central American affairs. Reports from Panama accuse the U.S. of fabricating the so-called “China threat” as a pretext to gain control over the Panama Canal and to establish a long-term military presence in the region. Such actions, they claim, could lead to new risks of military intervention and economic exploitation, harming Panama’s interests.
“The incisive commentaries from Panamanian media have laid bare the true nature of U.S. hegemonic conduct,” the spokesperson said. “By concocting lies about China’s control of the Panama Canal and maliciously attacking China, Washington is creating excuses to justify its own ambitions over the canal and to pursue its hegemony reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine.”
The spokesperson emphasized that both the international community and the people of Panama are aware of the situation. Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo has also reportedly rejected claims of Chinese interference, reaffirming Panama’s sovereignty over the canal.
“The United States should focus on actions that genuinely contribute to regional and global development,” the spokesperson added. “We urge the U.S. to respect the facts and abandon its hegemonic mindset.”
The Panama Canal, a crucial maritime route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has been a focal point of geopolitical interest for over a century. China’s growing economic ties with Latin American countries have been closely watched by the U.S., leading to increased tensions over influence in the region.
