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China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab
US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator
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Igor Patrickin Rio de Janeiro
China denied on Friday that it had intensified inspections of Panama-flagged vessels in retaliation for Panama’s decision to strip a Hong Kong-based conglomerate of port concessions at both ends of the Panama Canal, accusing Washington of seeking to seize control of the strategic waterway.
During the daily press briefing at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing, spokesman Lin Jian charged that the US had made “repeated wrongful allegations” about the inspections that exposed Washington’s “true intention” to take over the canal, dismissing them as groundless.
Lin’s remarks came one day after the US Federal Maritime Commission issued an alert warning that Beijing had ramped up port inspections of Panama-flagged vessels beyond historical norms.
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The confrontation centres on Panama’s cancellation of a concession held by Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison, to operate the ports of Balboa and Cristobal.
Panama’s Supreme Court declared the concession unconstitutional in January, and the government took control of both terminals in late February, designating US-linked operators APM Terminals and Terminal Investment Limited as interim administrators for 18 months.
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Panama President Mulino rejects US claims of Chinese influence in Panama Canal
Panama President Mulino rejects US claims of Chinese influence in Panama Canal
The commission warned on Thursday that the inspections appeared to follow informal directives that could amount to reprisals. Panama-flagged ships carry a significant share of US container trade, the commission noted, raising concerns about supply chain disruptions.
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