China ‘Regrets’ Panama’s Withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative
China expressed its regret on Saturday over Panama’s decision to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and urged the Latin American country to “make the right decision,” according to Reuters.
In a statement, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhi Yuan met with Panama’s ambassador to China and formally conveyed Beijing’s dissatisfaction with the move.
Zhao stated that Beijing deeply regrets Panama’s decision, emphasizing that the move “does not serve Panama’s fundamental interests.”
The statement added: “We hope that Panama will free itself from external interference and make the right decision based on the overall picture of bilateral relations and the long-term interests of both peoples.”
The Belt and Road Initiative is a massive infrastructure project central to President Xi Jinping’s efforts to expand China’s global influence. It involves developing infrastructure such as ports, roads, and railways, particularly in developing countries, and also plays a role in securing China’s supply chains.
Panama’s decision came just days after a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which aimed to curb what Washington sees as China’s growing influence over the Panama Canal.
