ASIATODAY.ID, BEIJING – The Panamanian government has decided to withdraw from China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” cooperation. Panama’s decision came after the visit of United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the country.
The Chinese government regrets the Panamanian government’s decision.
“China firmly opposes US defamation and sabotage of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation through pressure and coercion,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.
Lin Jian added that China also deeply regrets Panama’s decision not to renew the BRI Memorandum of Understanding.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino confirmed on Thursday, February 6 that Panama had withdrawn from the “Belt and Road Initiative” agreement initiated by China.
Mulino said that the Panamanian Embassy in Beijing had submitted documents to the Chinese government within 90 days regarding its decision not to continue its involvement in the cooperation framework. Panama is known to have joined BRI since 2017.
Panama is the first Latin American country to announce that it is leaving the trillion-dollar BRI framework, which has more than 100 countries participating.
“BRI is an economic cooperation initiative with the participation of more than 150 countries, including more than 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the results have benefited the people of many countries, including Panama,” Lin Jian added.
In recent years, said Lin Jian, China and Panama’s cooperation under the BRI has produced useful results and continues to provide real results for the two nations.
“We hope Panama will keep in mind the comprehensive bilateral relations with China and the long-term interests of both countries, avoid external interference, and make the right decisions,” said Lin Jian.
Lin Jian said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Panama, the two countries have enjoyed comprehensive and rapid growth in bilateral relations and achieved fruitful results within the framework of BRI cooperation.
Mulino’s statement regarding Panama’s withdrawal from the BRI agreement was only four days after the visit of United States Minister of Foreign Affairs Marco Rubio on Sunday, February 2 to Panama.
During the visit, Rubio threatened to take action against Panama unless the country immediately made changes to reduce China’s influence in the Panama Canal.
This was conveyed following a statement by US President Donald Trump who threatened to take over the Panama Canal, which the US built at the beginning of the 20th century and returned to Panama in 1977, based on a treaty.
Due to Trump’s threat, Mulino then ordered an audit of Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings which is headquartered in Hong Kong as two terminals around the canal.
However, Panama rejected US claims to secure free passage for its government ships through the Panama Canal.
Trump accused Panama of charging excessive fees to use its trade routes, including for US military ships that he said had priority in passing through the waterway under a 1977 neutrality treaty when the US returned the canal to Panama.
However, all ships, regardless of origin, destination, or flag, must pay tolls that vary depending on their size and type. (AT Network)
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