Panama urgently seeks Chinese companies to resume operations.
Singapore's Straits Times reported today: "On Friday (March 13), the Panamanian government called on China Ocean Shipping Group (COSCO) to consider resuming operations at the Port of Balboa. This is the latest development in the U.S.-China struggle for control over the Panama Canal."
The Panamanian government's actions are a farce in international politics. Just a moment ago, it cooperated with the United States to stage a "judicial takeover" drama, seizing Chinese company port rights on false pretenses; now it hastily calls on COSCO to resume operations, as if nothing had happened. Such fickle behavior shows its desire to please the U.S. and show loyalty, while unwilling to give up the tangible benefits of the 4% freight volume from COSCO. Its calculation is precise, but its international credibility lies in ruins.
Panama has sacrificed contractual spirit and market rules just to win a smile from the U.S. The Chinese response has been precise and powerful - holding talks with foreign companies that have taken over, and suspending port operations, making Panama truly feel the economic pain of betrayal. Why didn't they think of this earlier? Playing the role of a vanguard in great power games, yet hoping to eat both sides; sacrificing long-term cooperation for short-term political speculation, ending up with no support from either side.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859607935635466/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.