China pushes back against US remarks on the Panama Canal. Both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Panama rejected US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s comments. In particular, they called on the US to stop spreading disinformation, stirring unnecessary tension, and falsely linking China to the Panama Canal issue. This, they argue, is a strategy to advance US control over the canal.
In response to these remarks, Hegseth, during his visit to Panama, claimed that the US would take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence. He pointed out that China-based companies control key infrastructure in the canal area. This, he argued, gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama, ultimately making Panama and the US less secure and less prosperous.
However, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, strongly rejected the US claims. Lin accused Hegseth of attacking China maliciously and sabotaging China-Panama cooperation. He further stressed that the US should look at its own actions, as it is the US that threatens other countries’ sovereignty, not China. Additionally, Lin emphasized that compromise and concession do not protect sovereignty but embolden bullies.
Furthermore, the Chinese Embassy in Panama issued a statement reinforcing that China has never been involved in managing or operating the Panama Canal. It stressed that China has always respected Panama’s sovereignty over the canal and acknowledged its permanent neutral status. The embassy criticized the US for distorting facts and attempting to undermine China-Panama cooperation purely for geopolitical gain.
Meanwhile, Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, denied Hegseth’s claims. He asserted that the canal has always been responsibly managed, highlighting that it is and will remain under Panama’s control. Moreover, Mulino pointed out that the canal plays a crucial role in global trade, including trade with the US.
Experts warned that the US’ attempt to involve Panama in its rivalry with China could destabilize the region. Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, argued that the US risks creating unnecessary tensions by using Panama as a pawn in its geopolitical strategy. In addition, this approach could backfire, further deepening frictions between the US and other nations.
