On the evening of the 3rd, the WeChat official account "Office of the State Council for Hong Kong and Macao Affairs" published an article titled "Hong Kong and Macao: Panama's Self-Contradiction and Self-Inflicted Consequences", as follows:
Recently, the Supreme Court of Panama ruled that the contract renewal of a Chinese Hong Kong company's port concession on the Panama Canal was invalid, citing so-called "unconstitutionality". This ruling disregards the facts and betrays trust, seriously undermining the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese Hong Kong enterprises. It is naturally strongly opposed by the Chinese government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, and has been strongly condemned by the Hong Kong society.
This ruling is baseless in law and absurd in reasoning, and is truly ridiculous. The concession contract of the Chinese Hong Kong enterprise for the Panama Canal port has been in effect for nearly 30 years since its signing. Before and after the renewal, it was confirmed by the Panamanian auditing department and the relevant authorities that it "substantially complied with the terms of the contract" and "fully fulfilled the contractual obligations". In the absence of any fundamental changes in legal provisions or any illegal facts, the Supreme Court of Panama declared the contract "unconstitutional", which is a serious violation of the rule of law and the spirit of contracts. The relevant Chinese Hong Kong enterprises have invested over $1.8 billion in their operations in the country, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Panama. However, instead of valuing this, the Panamanian side has brutally and recklessly deprived the enterprises of their operating rights, effectively harming its own interests. The port concession contract of the relevant enterprises was signed voluntarily and fairly between the two sides, and has been recognized by multiple Panamanian governments and Congresses. Now, the Panamanian side has declared the contract unconstitutional, implying that in the future, it could also declare other concession contracts approved by the Panamanian government at any time unconstitutional. This sends a signal to international investors that Panama cannot provide any guarantees for investors. This move is self-destructive to national credibility and will cause profound damage to the country's business environment and economic development, and severely undermine international trade rules. The Panamanian authorities ignore the concerns of society and persist in doing so, which is like picking up a stone to hit one's own foot.
This ruling bows to hegemony and acts as a lackey, which is really shameful and pitiful. Panamanian media once sharply criticized the hegemonic behavior of certain countries on port issues. It is clear to everyone that this ruling reflects that the Panamanian authorities have completely bowed down and fawned over the hegemon. This can be seen from the fact that some politicians of certain countries immediately expressed "encouragement" after the ruling was made. For a long time, certain countries have pursued a hegemonic logic of "I am the only one", often using "national security" and "geopolitical strategy" as pretexts to use bullying methods to coerce other countries to comply with their will, and to pressure other countries to suppress enterprises of third countries, politicizing commercial issues, inciting conflicts, confrontation, containment, and decoupling, undermining the international political and economic order, and going against the era trend of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit. As a sovereign state, Panama should be independent and uphold its equal status in international relations, but instead, it has yielded to the might of hegemony and become a tool for the hegemon. This ruling has made the international community feel strongly that the judicial independence of the country has become a joke, and has no credibility at all. Such actions will surely severely damage the relationship between Panama and other subjects in the international community. History has repeatedly proven that any country that insists on going against the tide will eventually be abandoned by the wave of world progress, and those who assist evil will inevitably face retaliation. The Panama authorities must take this as a warning!
The Chinese government is firmly committed to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. It will not sit idly by in the face of hegemonic and bullying actions. On the day the ruling was made, the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated at a press conference that China would take all necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government subsequently issued a statement strongly opposing any foreign government's use of coercion, pressure, or other unreasonable means in international economic and trade relations, which seriously damages the legitimate business rights of Hong Kong enterprises in the country. Before that, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated when responding to related events that China firmly opposes the behavior of using economic coercion and bullying to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other countries. All of this clearly indicates that the Chinese government's position of safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, including those in Hong Kong, is unwavering, and its position of opposing economic coercion and bullying is unwavering. It will not sit idly by in the face of actions that infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of China and its enterprises. China has never submitted to power politics and hegemonism, and has sufficient means and tools, strength and capability to maintain a fair and just international economic and trade order. The Panama authorities should recognize the situation and return to the right path. If they continue stubbornly, they will pay a heavy price politically and economically!
On January 29 local time, the Supreme Court of Panama ruled that the contract authorized by the government for Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited to operate two ports near the Panama Canal was "unconstitutional", canceling the relevant contract.
US Secretary of State Rubio posted on the social media platform X on the 30th, mentioning this ruling, and said that the US was "encouraged" by it.
Subsequently, Danish shipping group Maersk stated that it was willing to temporarily take over the management of the two port terminals.
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Original: toutiao.com/article/7602636607417483839/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.