China Regrets Panama's Decision To Leave "Belt And Road Initiative" After US Foreign Minister's Visit

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian in a press conference in Beijing (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government regrets Panama's decision to resign from the framework of the "Belt and Road Initiative" after the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to the country.

"China firmly opposes US defamation and sabotage of the 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI) cooperation through means of pressure and coercion," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday, February 7, reported by ANTARA.

Lin Jian said China also deeply regrets Panama's decision not to renew the BRI Memorandum of Understanding.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday (6/2) confirmed Panama had withdrawn from the "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI) deal initiated by China.

Mulino said the Panamanian Embassy in Beijing had submitted documents to the Chinese government within 90 days of the decision not to continue its involvement in the framework of the cooperation. Panama is known to have joined BRI since 2017.

Panama is the first Latin American country to announce its withdrawal from the BRI framework worth trillions of US dollars followed by more than 100 countries.

"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 people in many countries, including Panama," added Lin Jian.

In recent years, said Lin Jian, cooperation between China and Panama under BRI has provided useful results and continues to provide tangible results for the two nations.

"We hope Panama will remember bilateral relations with China as a whole and long-term interests of the two countries, avoid external interference, and make the right decisions," said Lin Jian.

Lin Jian said that since diplomatic relations were established between China and Panama, the two countries have enjoyed a comprehensive and fast growth in bilateral relations and achieved useful results in the framework of BRI's cooperation.

Mulino's statement about Panama's exit from BRI's agreement was only four days from the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (2/2) to Panama.

During the visit, Rubio threatened to take action against Panama unless the country immediately made changes to reduce China's influence on the Panamanian Canal.

This was conveyed following US President Donald Trump's statement threatening to take over the US-built Panama Canal in the early 20th century and returned to Panama in 1977, under one agreement.

At Trump's threat, Mulino then ordered an audit of Panama Ports Company, CK subsidiary Hutchison Holdings, headquartered in Hong Kong, as two terminals around the canal.

However, Panama rejects US claims to secure free passage for its government ships through the Panama Canal.

Trump accused Panama of imposing excessive costs to use its trade routes, including for US military vessels that are said to have priority to pass through the waters under a 1977 neutrality agreement when the US returned the canal to Panama.

However, all ships, regardless of their origin, destination, or flag, must pay varying toll roads depending on size and type.