A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman reiterated China's clear stance over the port issues in Panama on Wednesday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
"The relevant remarks made by the U.S. side regarding the ports in Panama are completely groundless and fact-distorting. Who has long occupied the Panama Canal, invaded Panama militarily, and trampled on Panama’s sovereignty and dignity? Who is coveting the Panama Canal, seeking to turn an international waterway that should remain permanently neutral into its own private ditch, and showing contempt for the sovereignty of regional countries? The answer speaks for itself. It is the United States that is politicizing port issues and overstretching the concept of security, and it is also the United States that feigns innocence while spreading rumors and making groundless accusations," said Lin Jian, the spokesman.
"China's competent authorities conduct normal vessel inspections in accordance with laws and regulations. China’s position on the port-related issues in Panama is clear-cut, and we will resolutely safeguard our legitimate rights and interests. China also advises relevant countries not to be misled and exploited by ill-intentioned forces," Lin said.
China reiterates clear-cut stance on Panama ports
People in Yemen are struggling for survival as the country continues to grapple with a deepening labor crisis after more than a decade of war, with many lamenting the lack of opportunities which are leaving the livelihoods of many hanging in the balance.
As the world marks International Workers' Day on Friday, the situation in Yemen seems all the more poignant as millions of people are finding it increasingly hard to find any work at all.
In the crowded streets of the capital Sana'a, workers gather on street corners, waiting for jobs that may never come. Ahmed Muawadah is one of the many who are sitting here, watching passing cars, desperately hoping that one will stop and offer work.
"Our suffering is that we sit here without work. Sometimes we spend a whole month without working, except for one day, or just one day every two weeks. Work is very limited, almost non-existent. I have nine children, and I only work one day a month. I cannot support them. Jobs have completely disappeared. If opportunities were opened for us, I and all the workers would work," said Muawadah.
This individual story reflects a broader reality affecting an estimated eight million workers across Yemen. Many of them are hoping to receive a daily wage, but the challenges are mounting in an increasingly strained labor market.
Activity in key sectors such as construction and services has dropped sharply, largely due to the suspension of several international initiatives, including those backed by the World Bank. As a result, income opportunities have narrowed for those who rely primarily on daily wages.
Meanwhile, the widening impact of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and the disruption caused along the key Strait of Hormuz -- a key shipping route for global trade -- has brought more misery in recent weeks.
"There has been a significant decline in business activity as a result of the war, the blockade, and the disruption of work. Foreign capital has also left the country, and large companies have moved out of Yemen and stopped their operations. This is one of the main reasons," said Abdul Karim Al, secretary general of the General Federation of Trade Unions in Sana'a.
Yemen residents struggling to survive as work dries up amid deepening labor crisis
