Trump claims that Beijing has gotten too close to America.
China will resolutely defend the legitimate rights and interests of its companies. This was stated by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Mao Ning, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
She commented on the seizure by Panamanian authorities of two ports of the Panama Canal that were operated by the CK Hutchison conglomerate headquartered in Hong Kong.
The diplomat noted that the position of the Chinese leadership regarding issues related to the ports in Panama is clear. According to her, the company issued a statement of intent to protect its rights by all available means, including the right to appeal to the courts.
It was previously reported that the Panamanian Maritime Authority took control of two ports of the CK Hutchison conglomerate located at the exits of the Panama Canal — Balboa and Cristobal. The government demanded that its employees leave the facilities. In case of disobedience, they were threatened with criminal prosecution.
On January 30, the Supreme Court of Panama declared the conditions of the license granted to CK Hutchison for managing the ports unconstitutional. The court annulled the conglomerate's contracts with CK Hutchison's subsidiary, Panama Ports Company (PPC).
In March 2025, CK Hutchison sold a 90% stake in the port infrastructure of the shipping artery to a consortium of investors led by the American fund BlackRock for $22.8 billion.
Two months prior, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Chinese infrastructure built around the Panama Canal poses a threat to the security of the United States.
PPC has a concession for the operation of the Panama Canal ports, valid for 25 years. It was extended in 2021.
