Belt and Road Initiative
BEIJING: China has strongly opposed what it calls U.S. interference in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) following Panama’s recent decision to withdraw from the program. On Friday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry accused Washington of “smearing and sabotage” through “pressure and coercion,” expressing deep regret over Panama’s move.
During a routine press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian criticized the United States, urging Panama to reconsider its decision based on the broader perspective of bilateral relations and the long-term interests of both nations. “We hope that Panama will make the right decision and eliminate external interference,” Lin stated.
Panama’s withdrawal from the BRI was officially announced by President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday. The decision followed his recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, Mulino denied claims that the United States had influenced the move, insisting that the decision was made independently.
China introduced the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 as a massive infrastructure and investment project aimed at enhancing global trade networks. Since then, over 150 countries, including more than 20 Latin American nations, have participated in the initiative. According to Lin, these partnerships have yielded positive results for the participating countries.
Panama was the first Latin American country to officially join the BRI in November 2017, just five months after switching its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. The move was seen as a significant diplomatic victory for Beijing, reinforcing its efforts to isolate Taiwan on the global stage.
The United States has long expressed concerns over China’s growing influence in the region, particularly regarding control over critical infrastructure.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump previously claimed that Panama had effectively ceded control of the strategic Panama Canal to China, though both nations have denied the allegation.
Amid rising tensions, President Mulino on Thursday also accused the U.S. of spreading “lies and falsehoods” after the State Department suggested that American government vessels would be allowed to pass through the Panama Canal without paying toll fees.
His remarks are likely to further strain relations between the two nations, especially as Washington continues to push for military cooperation with Panama while countering China’s influence over the canal.
Panama’s withdrawal from the BRI marks a potential shift in regional alliances and could have significant geopolitical implications.
While Beijing remains committed to expanding its influence through the initiative, Washington appears to be strengthening its diplomatic and economic engagement in Latin America to counter China’s reach. The long-term impact of this development remains to be seen as tensions between the two global powers continue to rise.
