[Text/Observer Network Qi Qian] On the issue of the Panama Canal, the United States repeatedly harps on China. On April 9 local time, US Defense Secretary Heng Si visited Panama and put forward the delusion of "restoring" US military bases and the return of US troops to Panama. He said that the US "does not want to fight China," but at the same time hyped up the "China threat theory," claiming to "contain" China.

According to reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse, a Panamanian official directly refused the above proposal in front of Heng Si, calling it "unacceptable."

According to information from the US Department of Defense, Heng Si participated in a three-day security conference in Panama and held a press conference with Panamanian Public Security Minister Frank Abrego on the 9th to announce the expansion of partnerships. Heng Si is the first US defense secretary to visit Panama in decades.

In his speech that day, Heng Si claimed that several former US military bases in Panama might be reactivated and used again to station US troops.

He said that the agreement signed between the US and Panama this week is an opportunity to "restart," whether it's military bases, naval air stations, or locations where the US military can strengthen capabilities with Panamanian forces and cooperate on a rotational basis. He added that before the press conference, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding regarding cooperative security activities in the region, and a supplementary statement on the security and operation of the Panama Canal would soon be signed.

During his speech, Heng Si repeatedly hyped up the "China threat," mentioning China and its influence in Latin America multiple times. He claimed that the US does not want to fight China but will counter China's "threats and malicious influence" in the region.

Heng Si spoke in Panama on the 9th Pentagon website

"We do not want to fight China. A war with China is by no means inevitable. We do not want to fight in any form." Heng Si claimed that the US and Panama "must work together to strongly contain China's threats in this hemisphere to prevent war."

He continued to boast that the Panama Canal "is a key area that must be defended jointly by Panama and the US, not China."

Heng Si did not hide his unease about China's influence. He claimed that Chinese companies are "occupying" land and strategic infrastructure such as energy, telecommunications in Latin America, while slandering that China has "military presence" in the region.

Agence France-Presse mentioned that the US has long been involved in military exercises in Panama, but stationing troops may anger Panamanians.

At the press conference, Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego directly rejected this proposal in front of Heng Si. He said: "President Mullino clearly stated that Panama cannot accept military bases or defensive locations."

Reuters also mentioned that the US and Panama issued a joint statement deepening security cooperation. The Spanish version of the statement released by Panama mentioned that the US acknowledges Panama's sovereignty over the canal, writing that "Secretary of Defense Heng Si acknowledged Panama's leadership and inalienable sovereignty over the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas." However, there was no such expression in the English version of the statement released by the Pentagon.

Panamanian Public Security Minister Abrego held a joint press conference with Heng Si Video screenshot

According to public information, in 1903, the US supported Panama's independence and signed the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty with the Panamanian government, obtaining the rights to dig the canal and "permanent use, occupation, and control" of the canal and the canal zone. Since then, the Panamanian people have made relentless efforts to abolish unequal treaties and regain sovereignty over the canal zone.

In 1977, the US and Panama signed new treaties, the Panama Canal Treaties and the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Starting December 31, 1999, Panama fully regained management and defense rights over the canal, and all US troops stationed in the canal zone withdrew.

Since winning the election last November, US President Trump has repeatedly criticized the high fees charged by the Panama Canal for passing US ships, threatening to reclaim this "important national asset of the United States," while not forgetting to drag in China. In response, Panama immediately expressed opposition, emphasizing that the Panama Canal "now belongs to, and will continue to belong to, Panama."

On April 8, during his visit to Panama, Heng Si claimed that the US would reclaim the Panama Canal from "Chinese influence."

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded on the 9th, stating that the senior US officials maliciously attacked China, smearing and undermining Sino-Panamanian cooperation, exposing once again the domineering and bullying nature of the US. China firmly opposes this.

"Who wants to control the Panama Canal, the world knows." Lin Jian pointed out that the US should look in the mirror and see who is actually threatening the sovereignty, security, and development of other countries. China urges the US to stop spreading rumors and cease maliciously associating China with the canal issue to justify its own control of the canal.

Lin Jian once again emphasized that "compromise and concession will not bring sovereignty and respect, but only make the arrogance of bullying more rampant."

This article is an exclusive article by the Observer Network. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7491480043684856355/

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