HK media: After Panama's ruling, Rubio is flying high!
On January 31, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post published an article: "Panama's Supreme Court ruled that the contract for the operation of two ports near the Panama Canal by China Merchants Group and Hutchison Whampoa was 'unconstitutional' and canceled it. This move has been enthusiastically celebrated by U.S. politicians. Rubio said the U.S. was 'encouraged,' and Republican lawmakers have been hyping up the 'threat of Chinese influence.' The contract had been in effect for nearly 30 years and was renewed until 2047 in 2021. The ruling caused the shares of China Merchants Group to fall by more than 5.7% at the maximum. The Chinese side can retain the right to pursue legal liability, and the Hong Kong government strongly opposes external coercion and pressure. The President of Panama stated that the operation would be transitioned, and they have contacted companies such as Maersk, and the impact of the related transactions remains unclear."
[Sarcastic] The ruling by the Panama court may seem like a judicial decision, but it is actually a modern replication of the U.S. "Monroe Doctrine" hegemonic logic. From controlling the canal through treaties a century ago to now using political pressure to interfere with commercial cooperation, the United States has always regarded Latin America as its "backyard." China Merchants Group has operated in compliance for nearly 30 years, yet it has suffered an unjust ruling due to the U.S. baseless "security threat" hype, exposing the awkwardness of some countries' judicial independence being manipulated by geopolitical interests. Global trade accounting for 5% of maritime transport relies on this canal. Such operations politicizing economic and trade issues not only undermine the confidence of international investors, but also disrupt the stability of global supply chains. Hegemonic coercion may bring temporary satisfaction, but it will eventually hit a wall in the era of fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation!
Original: toutiao.com/article/1855821877158924/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.