JAKARTA - The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the United States framed the terminal affairs in the Panama Canal as a political issue of security funds, while wanting control over the waterway.
The ministry said in response to the US's call along with a number of countries in the region to support Panama in its dispute with China, as well as Beijing's claim that its actions were a blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a Wednesday press conference that the allegations were completely unfounded and simply distorted the facts.
"Who is it that has long carried out forced control of the Panama Canal, invaded Panama, and trampled on Panama's sovereignty and dignity? Who is it that wants the Panama Canal, tries to have an international waterway that should be permanently neutral, and does not respect the sovereignty of countries in the region?," Lin said, quoted from Global Times (30/4).
"The answer is quite clear. It is the United States that has framed normal affairs related to related terminals as political and security issues. It is the United States that has pretended and defamed other countries with rumors," Lin said.
Lin also stated that Chinese authorities carried out regular inspections of ships in accordance with laws and regulations. China's position on the Panama port issue is clear and will resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests.
"We urge the relevant countries not to be blinded and used by evil-minded parties," Lin urged.
As previously reported, the US on Tuesday led a group of regional countries in a joint call to support Panama in its dispute with China over the Panama Canal, calling Beijing's actions a threat to them all.
The United States led a joint statement from most right-leaning countries, such as Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
China's actions "are a blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade and violate the sovereignty of countries in our hemisphere," said a statement released by the US State Department.
"Panama is a pillar of our maritime trade system, and must therefore remain free from undue external pressure," he said, launching Al Arabiya from AFP.
"Any attempt to undermine Panama's sovereignty is a threat to us all," he said.
Panama took control of two ports (the Balboa Terminal and the Cristobal Terminal flanking the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the Panama Canal) previously operated by a Hong Kong-based conglomerate on a vital route for global trade, following a January ruling by Panama's Supreme Court.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month slammed China for allegedly detaining two Panama-flagged vessels in response to the takeover.
China itself threatened Panama with retaliation but denied holding the ships, accusing the United States of fabricating.
US President Donald Trump, who returned to office last year, promised to regain US control over the Panama Canal, which was handed over in an agreement reached by the Jimmy Carter administration in 1978 with a narrow Senate approval, as well as critical of the importance of the canal for the security of the Uncle Sam's country.
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