China supports Panama's effort to uphold independence and firmly defend its lawful rights and interests as an independent sovereign country, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson reiterated on Wednesday.
Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on the statement of the head of the Panama Canal Authority about the purchase of CK Hutchison assets.
On June 10, the head of the Panama Canal Authority reportedly said, "There is a potential risk of capacity concentration if the deal comes the way it is structured as we understand right now. It will be at the expense of Panama's competitiveness in the market and inconsistent with neutrality." The Panama Canal head also said a U.S. request to allow its government ships to pass through the Canal for free was not possible.
"On CK Hutchison's sales of its assets overseas, the State Administration for Market Regulation and related departments made responses to that more than once, which you may refer to. Let me stress more broadly that China all along firmly opposes economic coercion, domineering, and bullying practices. On the navigation of relevant country's vessels, China will, as always, respect Panama's sovereignty over the Canal and recognize the Canal as a permanently neutral international waterway. We support Panama's effort to uphold independence and firmly defend its lawful rights and interests as an independent sovereign country," he said.
China supports Panama's effort to uphold independence, defend lawful rights: spokesperson
