Head of the Pentagon is going to defend the Panama Canal from China: Beijing responded

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the US will do everything possible to protect the Panama Canal from threats from China and other challenges, China reacted, writes UNN.

Details

Statement by the Head of the Pentagon

According to the head of the Pentagon, the security of the Panama Canal remains a key national interest of both the United States and Panama. After all, it has become a factor in "the prosperity of the Western Hemisphere."

"The United States of America will not allow communist China or any other country to threaten the operation or integrity of the canal. To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen defense and security cooperation than they have in decades," Hegseth said during the opening of the Vasco Nunez de Balboa naval base pier in Panama.

He pledged to deepen security cooperation with the Panamanian armed forces and said China would not be allowed to "militarize" the canal by using the commercial relations of Chinese firms for espionage.

"Together we will return the Panama Canal from under the influence of China, and we will do so together with other capable like-minded people and partners," Hegseth stressed.

The head of the Pentagon said that US military units are participating in joint exercises, planning and other forms of cooperation with Panamanian partners on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the canal. Both countries are actively restoring ties in the field of defense and security.

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In particular, a US Coast Guard cutter was sent to a drug interdiction operation in the eastern Pacific. The US Coast Guard cutter Kimball is docked in Panama City for a subject matter expert exchange with personnel from the Panamanian National Air and Naval Service (SENAN). The guided missile cruiser USS Chosin arrived in Panama City for a port visit as part of the CENTSEC 25 joint exercises. Another guided missile cruiser USS Normandy is patrolling the waters of the Caribbean Sea near the coast of Panama.

Reaction from Beijing

China reacted to the statement of the head of the Pentagon regarding threats to the operation of the Panama Canal with sharp criticism, writes Global Times.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Panama criticized the remarks of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. They called on the US to stop spreading disinformation, inciting confrontation and linking China to the canal as a pretext for advancing its own ambitions to control the strait.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian strongly rejected Hegseth's statements, noting that the American official's malicious attack against China and attempt to denigrate Beijing and undermine Sino-Panamanian cooperation once again proved the "bullying policy" and hegemonic nature of the United States.

Lin stressed that the world clearly knows who is really seeking control over the Panama Canal. "The US should take a close look in the mirror and reflect on who is really threatening the sovereignty, security and development of other countries," Lin said.

Recall

President Donald Trump's administration turned to the Pentagon with a request to develop options for military intervention to ensure continued US access to the Panama Canal.