Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Zhiyuan stated on Friday that Panama’s announcement to terminate the memorandum of understanding signed under the joint China-Panama cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative is an irresponsible act, deliberately distorting and even discrediting the cooperation. Zhao added, “More than 150 countries are cooperating under the Belt and Road Initiative, and the achievements have benefited the people of many nations, including Panama. Reversing these gains is contrary to the interests of both our peoples.”
Zhao emphasized that China respects Panama’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and that all countries should be treated equally based on mutual respect and trust. He firmly rejected the US pressure tactics aimed at undermining China-Panama relations and stated that such third-party interference is unacceptable.
Following Panama’s official announcement to withdraw from the Belt and Road infrastructure plan, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, during a routine press conference, expressed deep regret over the decision. He reiterated that China will not renew the memorandum of understanding and sharply condemned the US’s actions, which he described as an attempt to malign and disrupt Belt and Road cooperation through coercive pressure.
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20250208-5848950