China has dismissed claims suggesting it has total control over the Panama Canal, labeling them as 'completely false.' The spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, emphasized China's support for Panama's sovereignty over the canal's operations, committing to maintaining it as a permanently neutral international waterway.
'China supports Panama's sovereignty over the canal's operations and is committed to keeping it as a permanently neutral international waterway,' stated Lin during a press conference. He also highlighted that the notion that China has absolute control over the canal is unfounded.
Regarding the recent sale of the ports of Balboa and Cristobal by CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong conglomerate, to a consortium led by the American firm BlackRock, Lin chose not to make direct comments on the matter. He merely recalled that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region had already expressed itself on the topic, adding that China typically does not comment on business transactions.
The sale of the Panamanian ports, which have been operated since 1997 by Panama Ports Company (PPC), has taken place amidst pressures from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had expressed his desire to 'reclaim' the waterway in light of the alleged Chinese influence, an accusation that both the Panamanian government and the Canal administration have rejected.
The sale agreement, valued at $22.8 billion (€21.63 billion), also includes the transfer of CK Hutchison's stake in an additional 43 ports across 23 countries, although it excludes terminals located in China and Hong Kong.
