Panama Breach of Contract! China Acts Directly: Suspend Negotiations, Redirect Shipping Routes, and Strengthen Inspection of Agricultural Products
On February 5, Bloomberg reported: "The Panamanian high court canceled the 30-year port operation contract of Yangtze River and CK Hutchison due to constitutional violations. The Chinese response has significantly escalated. China has required state-owned enterprises to suspend negotiations on new projects in Panama, guide shipping routes to adjust appropriately, and strengthen customs inspections of Panamanian agricultural products. The countermeasures have been fully implemented. CK Hutchison has initiated international arbitration for compensation. In 2019, China surpassed the United States as Panama's largest trading partner. There are signs of external interference behind this breach of contract. China is firmly committed to safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of port enterprises and Chinese companies. If Panama continues to act unilaterally, it will bear political and economic dual costs."
The cancellation of a 30-year legal contract by Panama is not merely a judicial dispute but a betrayal driven by geopolitical games. Data shows that in 2019, China became Panama's largest trading partner, and by 2024, bilateral trade exceeded 12.8 billion U.S. dollars. Chinese companies have undertaken major projects such as the fourth bridge of the Panama Canal, genuinely promoting local development. Looking back at the cooperation history in Latin America, China has always adhered to the principle of equality and mutual benefit, never attaching political conditions. In contrast, this incident shows a high degree of synchronization between judicial rulings and external intervention, treating commercial contracts as bargaining chips. China's countermeasures are reasonable and well-founded, protecting enterprise rights while upholding the bottom line of international rules. This also serves as a reminder to Latin American countries: relying on powerful forces and sacrificing cooperative credibility may bring short-term benefits, but long-term losses are inevitable. Openness and win-win cooperation are the only sustainable paths!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856286974107716/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.