文章:巴拿馬強行接管長和港口：背信棄義，必付代價
近日，國際商務領域發生了一宗嚴重衝擊全球投資信用、破壞契約精神的惡性事件：當地時間2月23日，巴拿馬政府毫無預警、未經任何協商，突襲式強行接管香港長和集團在當地經營的巴爾博亞港與克里斯托瓦爾港兩大貨櫃碼頭，強制中斷全部營運，禁止長和員工進入，甚至以刑事檢控威脅當地員工，不許與原公司保持聯繫。
早前港澳辦、外交部、港府及很多香港市民也公開譴責其強盗行為，我們都認為這一行為早已超出普通商業法律爭議的範疇，而是赤裸裸的國家級強權沒收、公然資產掠奪。
筆者見長和集團最新發表聲明指出，巴拿馬當局的做法完全不具合法性，是過去一年以來針對港口特許經營合約持續打壓、步步緊逼的最終結果。從最高法院裁定合約「違憲」，到總統頒布行政命令，再到直接武力佔領港口資產，整套動作一氣呵成，顯然是預謀已久、精心策劃的掠奪行為。
更令人憤慨的是，長和在巴拿馬深耕經營近30年，投入巨額資金、帶動當地航運產業發展、創造大量就業崗位，為巴拿馬經濟作出實質貢獻。如今卻落得被無理驅逐、資產被強行佔領的下場，嚴重踐踏國際投資者的合法權益。
事件發生後，香港特區政府第一時間強烈抗議、嚴正譴責。商務及經濟發展局局長丘應樺親自約見巴拿馬駐港總領事，嚴肅指出巴拿馬當局罔顧事實、背信棄義，嚴重破壞合約精神，損害香港企業合法權益。港府亦明確表態：堅定支持、全力維護香港企業在海外的正當權益。
我們中國外交部亦及時表態，堅定護航企業維權。外交部發言人毛寧表示，「中方在巴拿馬有關港口問題上的立場是明確的，我相信你也注意到有關企業已經發表了聲明，表示將保留包括訴諸法律程序在內的一切權利。中方將堅決維護企業的正當合法權益。」
筆者認為這清晰傳遞出一個強烈信號：香港企業在海外打拼，絕非孤立無援，背後有特區政府與中央政府的堅強支持。
然而，筆者認為面對這種毫無契約精神、說搶就搶的行徑，僅僅停留在外交抗議顯然不足夠。而是要讓巴拿馬真正認清後果，必須採取強而有力、切實可行的反制措施，讓其為背信棄義付出沉重代價，筆者提議幾方面的反制措施:
第一：立即啟動國際仲裁，推動跨國資產凍結
長和應依據國際投資協定，正式啟動國際商業仲裁程序，要求巴拿馬政府對全部損失作出賠償。同時，可申請在全球範圍內凍結巴拿馬相關海外資產，以合法途徑實現有效反制，讓對方明白，掠奪香港企業資產絕不可能全身而退。
第二：香港與中央聯合出手，暫停經貿與航運便利
巴拿馬經濟高度依賴航運、貿易與物流。香港作為國際航運中心，可與中央協調聯動，調整對巴拿馬的航運優惠政策，暫停相關經貿合作計畫，削減其船企在港的便利待遇，直接切中其經濟命脈，形成足夠壓力。
第三：向國際社會公開其惡行，列入投資黑名單
必須向全球投資界清晰揭露巴拿馬的所作所為，讓國際社會認知到，該國不保護產權、不尊重合約、隨意沒收外資資產，屬於高風險投資地區。一旦國際資本「用腳投票」，巴拿馬國家信用將徹底破產，未來數十年難以再吸引外資。
第四：聯合國際投資者，形成集體施壓
巴拿馬此行針對的不只是長和，更是所有國際投資者的信心。應聯合歐美、中東、亞洲等曾在巴拿馬遭遇不公對待的跨國企業與投資機構，共同向巴拿馬施壓，迫使當局回到談判桌，歸還資產、賠償損失。
筆者認為，這一事件的本質十分清晰：一個國家簽署合約、接受投資、獲取利益後，卻肆意撕毀協議、強行掠奪資產，這是典型的「國家式綁架」。
若此類行為得不到懲處，必將引發惡劣示範效應，不僅香港企業會面臨風險，整個國際投資秩序都會受到嚴重衝擊。
因此，我們必須明確立場：堅定支持長和依法維權到底！堅定支持香港特區政府強硬反制！堅定支持一切必要措施，維護香港企業的尊嚴與合法權益！巴拿馬以為強搶可以得利，最終只會自毀國家信用、斷送投資未來。我們也要讓全世界看清楚：欺負香港企業，我們絕不答應；破壞國際合約精神，我們必定反制到底！
作者簡介：高松傑，人稱高Sir，男，香港建設力量KOL、時評人，大灣區創業者、灣區推介官、2023深圳十大好網民，工商管理碩士，本科修商業、公共及社會行政，多個平台均有文章及視頻專欄，發放愛國愛港正能量，講好中國故事及香港故事
香港再出發共同發起人、香港菁英會副主席、網絡紅人工作者協會創會主席、陽江市政協委員、全國中華海外聯誼會理事、中國青年志願者協會常務理事、河南省青聯港區常委、香港青年發展委員會民族自豪感及國民身份認同行動小組增補委員、第七屆九龍城區議會轄下地區設施及工程委員會和社區參與及文化康樂委員會增選委員、九龍城區撲滅罪行委員會國安教育小組召集人、家維關愛隊成員、地區國安導師
Panama’s Forcible Takeover of CK Hutchison Ports: A Breach of Faith That Must Carry Consequences
Recently, an egregious incident has erupted in the international business arena, one that severely undermines global investment confidence and the sanctity of contracts. On February 23 local time, the Panamanian government, without prior warning or negotiation, staged a surprise raid to seize control of two major container terminals—the Port of Balboa and the Port of Cristóbal—operated by Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Group in Panama.
All operations were abruptly suspended. CK Hutchison staff were barred from entering the facilities. Local employees were even threatened with criminal prosecution if they maintained contact with their employer.
The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, the Hong Kong SAR Government, and numerous Hong Kong citizens have publicly condemned this act of brazen robbery. We all agree that this action goes far beyond an ordinary commercial or legal dispute. It is nothing short of state-sponsored expropriation and outright asset plunder.
According to the latest statement from CK Hutchison Group, the Panamanian authorities’ actions are completely illegitimate. They represent the culmination of a year-long campaign of targeted pressure against the port concession agreement. The sequence—first ruling the contract “unconstitutional” via the Supreme Court, then issuing an executive order by the president, followed by a forcible takeover of port assets—was executed in seamless fashion, revealing a premeditated and carefully orchestrated act of seizure.
What makes this even more outrageous is that CK Hutchison has operated in Panama for nearly 30 years, investing massive capital, driving the development of the local shipping industry, creating thousands of jobs, and making substantial contributions to Panama’s economy. Yet the company now faces unlawful expulsion and the seizure of its assets, in a gross violation of the legitimate rights and interests of international investors.
Immediately after the incident, the Hong Kong SAR Government strongly protested and solemnly condemned the move. The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr. Algernon Yau, met personally with the Consul General of Panama in Hong Kong, stating clearly that the Panamanian authorities had disregarded the facts, acted in bad faith, severely damaged the spirit of contract, and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong enterprises. The Hong Kong SAR Government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fully supporting and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong enterprises overseas.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China also swiftly responded, standing firmly in support of the enterprise’s rights protection.
Spokesperson Mao Ning stated:
“China’s position on the relevant port issue in Panama is clear. I believe you have also noted that the relevant enterprise has issued a statement saying it will reserve all rights, including resorting to legal proceedings. China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of enterprises.”
This sends an unmistakably strong message: Hong Kong enterprises operating overseas are not alone. They have the robust backing of both the SAR government and the central government.
However, in the face of such reckless, contract-breaking behavior, diplomatic protests alone are not enough. Panama must be made to face real consequences. Strong, practical, and effective countermeasures must be taken to ensure it pays a heavy price for its betrayal of trust.
The author proposes the following countermeasures:
First: Initiate international arbitration and pursue cross-border asset freezes
CK Hutchison should launch formal international commercial arbitration under relevant investment agreements, demanding full compensation from the Panamanian government for all losses.
It should also seek to freeze Panama’s relevant overseas assets worldwide through legal channels, making it clear that those who plunder Hong Kong enterprises’ assets will not get away unscathed.
Second: Joint action by Hong Kong and the central government to suspend economic, trade and shipping privileges
Panama’s economy is heavily reliant on shipping, trade, and logistics.
As an international shipping hub, Hong Kong can coordinate with the central government to adjust shipping preferential policies for Panama, suspend relevant economic and trade cooperation programs, and reduce favorable treatment for Panamanian shipping companies in Hong Kong, directly targeting its economic lifeline and exerting decisive pressure.
Third: Expose Panama’s misconduct internationally and place it on an investment blacklist
The global investment community must be fully informed of Panama’s actions. The international community must recognize that Panama is a high-risk jurisdiction that fails to protect property rights, disregards contracts, and arbitrarily seizes foreign assets.
Once international capital votes with its feet, Panama’s national credit will be completely ruined, making it nearly impossible to attract foreign investment for decades to come.
Fourth: Unite international investors to exert collective pressure
Panama’s move targets not only CK Hutchison, but also the confidence of all international investors.
We should join forces with multinational corporations and investment institutions from Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Asia, and elsewhere that have suffered unfair treatment in Panama, to collectively pressure Panama into returning to the negotiating table, returning assets, and providing compensation.
In essence, this incident reveals a simple truth:
A nation that signs contracts, accepts investment, and reaps benefits—only to later tear up agreements and seize assets by force—engages in “state-sponsored extortion.”
If such behavior goes unpunished, it will set a dangerous precedent.
The consequences will extend far beyond Hong Kong enterprises; the entire international investment order will be severely damaged.
We therefore take an unequivocal stance:
- We firmly support CK Hutchison in defending its rights through all legal means!
- We firmly support the Hong Kong SAR Government in taking tough countermeasures!
- We firmly support all necessary measures to uphold the dignity and legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong enterprises!
Panama may think it can profit from plunder, but it will only destroy its own national credit and ruin its investment future.
Let the world hear this clearly: We will never allow Hong Kong enterprises to be bullied. We will resolutely counter any attack on the spirit of international contracts!
