Panama’s Departure from Belt and Road Initiative Sparks Diplomatic Ripples

Panama has officially withdrawn from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive infrastructure program spearheaded by Chinese President Xi Jinping. This decision marks a significant shift in Panama's international economic strategy and raises concerns about the future of its relationship with China. Western critics often accuse the BRI of leveraging debt to exert diplomatic influence over developing nations. China's foreign ministry has expressed regret over Panama's move, urging the nation to consider their broader bilateral relationship and resist external interference.

The Belt and Road Initiative stands as a cornerstone of China's ambition to expand its global influence. Initiated by President Xi Jinping, the BRI aims to develop infrastructure and trade routes across Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, skepticism remains high among Western countries, including the United States, which has voiced apprehensions regarding Chinese investments in strategic locations like the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is a critical waterway linking the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean. Stretching 80 kilometers, it plays an indispensable role in global maritime trade, handling approximately five percent of worldwide shipping traffic. Notably, about 40 percent of US container traffic navigates through this canal. The canal's historical significance is underscored by its construction under Washington's supervision over a hundred years ago, before being handed over to Panama.

Amidst growing geopolitical tensions, the United States has not dismissed the possibility of using force to secure the Panama Canal if necessary. This stance underscores the strategic importance of the canal in global trade and its role in US national security interests.

China's response to Panama's withdrawal from the BRI was swift. Lin Jian, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, emphasized the benefits that the BRI has brought to participating countries like Panama.

"Its achievements have benefited people in countries such as Panama," – Lin Jian

Lin Jian also called on Panama to weigh the long-term interests of both nations and urged them to resist external influences that might affect their decision-making process.