BEIJING (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti): China firmly opposes US attempts to undermine its relations with Panama through pressure and threats, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan said at a meeting with Panamanian Ambassador to China Miguel Lecaro, according to Sputnik/RIA Novosti.
"China-Panama relations never target any third party and should not be disrupted by any third party.
China hopes that the Panamanian side will eliminate external interruption and make the right decision while keeping in mind the overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the people of the two countries," Zhao was quoted as saying by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
On Thursday, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said that the Central American nation had formally notified China about its decision to withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative. He denied that the withdrawal was related to the recent visit to Panama by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
China has lodged solemn representations with Panama regarding its plan to terminate the memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative, Zhao stated.
He emphasised that China "firmly opposes the United States' efforts to undermine China-Panama relations and to smear and sabotage Belt and Road cooperation through pressure and threats."
US President Donald Trump said in his inauguration speech on January 20 that he wanted the US to regain control of the Panama Canal, which he said was handed over to Panama but was allegedly operated by China.
He also accused Panama of overcharging US ships, including naval ones. The Panamanian president rejected Trump's claims that the canal should belong to the US. - Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti
