【By Observer News, Zhang Jingjuan】Panama, under pressure from U.S. President Trump, has illegally revoked the port operation rights of Hong Kong's CKH (Cheung Kong Holdings). However, a report from American university researchers has made America's so-called "victory" appear particularly embarrassing.

According to AidData, a research laboratory at the College of William & Mary in the United States, China has invested 23.9 billion U.S. dollars in 363 overseas seaports and related projects over the past 25 years.

The research team wrote in the report: "China's near ubiquitous presence in top global ports means that the U.S. currently cannot isolate itself from China's supply chain, whether in peacetime or in times of conflict."

Hong Kong English media South China Morning Post reported on the 5th that years of Sino-U.S. trade disputes, rising tariffs, and intensified export controls have heightened concerns about supply chain decoupling, a trend that has become more pronounced in 2025. U.S. Treasury Secretary Bensinger even openly stated that Washington may push for the delisting of Chinese companies listed in the U.S.

This Panama Canal port incident is a direct manifestation of the U.S. attempt to curb China. In early January this year, the Panama Supreme Court declared invalid the contract authorizing the Panama Port Company, a subsidiary of CKH, to operate the Panama port terminals, citing so-called "unconstitutionality." CKH strongly opposed this, stating it would take all feasible legal measures to protect the group's interests.

The ruling took effect on February 23. On that day, the Panamanian government forcibly entered the container terminals of the Balboa Port and Cristobal Port operated by the Panama Port Company, taking administrative and operational control of the two container terminals and prohibiting representatives of the Panama Port Company from entering the two container terminals.

On February 4, containers were placed at the Panama Port Company. IC Photo

In fact, since taking over two outdated and poorly managed ports in 1997, CKH has continuously invested and professionally operated them for nearly 30 years, achieving remarkable results. The relevant contract was originally set to expire in 2047. However, the U.S. has exerted extreme pressure on Panama and openly stated that Panama's actions "conform to Trump's measures to contain China's influence."

But Washington clearly underestimated China. According to AidData data, 45.1% of China's port investment portfolio went to 20 "high-income" countries including Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, Spain, and Singapore, covering 30 independent ports. Major ports with significant investments include the Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka, Melbourne Port and Newcastle Port in Australia, Kribi Autonomous Port in Cameroon, and Haifa Port in Israel. Among these, Hambantota Port received 1.97 billion U.S. dollars, and Haifa Port received 1.13 billion U.S. dollars.

The study said that in case of a crisis in East-West supply chains, China's large-scale investment in global ports can ensure its merchant ships can continue to sail and conduct trade through "third-party country" ports.

The report added that China achieves port-industry linkage through investment. There are 22 Chinese-invested mines within a 500-kilometer radius of Chinese-invested ports, including the recently launched Chancay Port in Peru. This 3.5-billion-dollar port, which became operational in 2024, helps local copper exports. This move realizes the connectivity between ports and resource production areas, ensuring China's import channels for mineral raw materials while also bringing development opportunities to the local area.

China's investment in overseas ports has never been for "hegemonic control," but rather to achieve "win-win cooperation." In contrast, the U.S. "support" often remains only in verbal statements, rarely materializing in practice.

Panama's exit is just a minor incident in China's global port layout. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning recently emphasized that China's position on the port issue in Panama is clear, and it will resolutely safeguard the legitimate and proper rights and interests of enterprises.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7613585170985189938/

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