China on Friday called the United States' accusations of the alleged detention of Panamanian ships in Chinese ports "unfounded" and accused it of attempting to "take control" of the Panama Canal, in a new exchange of recriminations between the two powers over maritime traffic and the management of this strategic waterway. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated at a press conference on Thursday that the U.S. allegations "confuse right and wrong" and maintained that Washington's repeated accusations reflect its intention to seize control of the infrastructure. According to the spokeswoman, it is the United States that must be held accountable for "undermining the canal's neutrality and the stability of global supply chains" through "unilateral acts of intimidation and coercion," and added that "the facts are clear."
The statements respond to the criticism from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who on Thursday condemned the increase in inspections and delays for ships flagged in Panama in Chinese ports and expressed his support for Panama's sovereignty. The Panamanian government has recognized an increase in these delays following the cancellation in January of the concession to the Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison group, which managed two ports near the canal amid pressure from Washington. Tensions surrounding the Panamanian maritime registry, one of the world's largest, and the control of infrastructure linked to the canal reflect the growing rivalry between the United States and China for influence over key global trade routes.
