Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Wednesday that the recent comments by Panama's media have sharply exposed the true nature of U.S. hegemony, pointing to its ambitions to control the Panama Canal.
Guo commented at a press conference when a reporter brought up Panama's media criticism of the U.S. interference and hegemonic actions in Central America, hyping a fabricated "China threat" in the country to control the Canal. The Panamanian media also slammed the U.S. plan to build a long-term military presence, which could further hurt Panama's interests.
"The comments made by Panama's media have accurately exposed the essence of U.S. hegemonic behavior. The U.S. has fabricated the lie of 'China controlling the Panama Canal' and maliciously attacked China, which is merely an excuse to justify its control over the Canal and push forward its expansionist and 'Monroe Doctrine'-style hegemonic agenda. The international community and the people of Panama see this very clearly. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino also rejected the false claim of Chinese interference because this is not based on facts," Guo said.
"No lie can conceal the United States' ambitions to control the Panama Canal. We again urge the U.S. to stop manipulating China-related issues, cease its attacks and smear campaigns against China, and halt its interference with normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Latin American countries, including Panama. The U.S. should focus on actions that truly benefit regional and global development and prosperity," said the spokesman.
No lie can conceal US ambition over Panama Canal: spokesman
The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its fourth session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday morning.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other Chinese leaders were present at the opening meeting which was attended by 2,765 NPC deputies.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report on behalf of the State Council for deliberation.
During the session, which is scheduled to run from March 5 to 12, NPC deputies will deliberate the report on the work of the government; examine the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development; examine the report on the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2026 draft plan, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2026; and examine the report on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2025 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2026, and the draft central and local budgets for 2026.
They will also deliberate bills put forward by the NPC Standing Committee on reviewing the draft environmental code; reviewing the draft law on promoting ethnic unity and progress; and reviewing the draft law on national development planning.
Additionally, NPC deputies will deliberate the work report of the NPC Standing Committee; deliberate the work report of the Supreme People's Court; deliberate the work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate; and deliberate the report of the NPC Standing Committee on the work of the overhaul of laws and the proposed handling of certain laws and decisions.
China's national legislature starts annual session
