Which American Nation Is the First to Exit China’s BRI? Check Here

China's foreign ministry stated on Friday that it opposes the United States' "smearing and sabotage" of the Belt and Road Initiative in Panama through "pressure and coercion" following the South American country's decision to withdraw from the initiative.

China expressed its deep sadness at Panama's decision at a routine press meeting, according to ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

"We hope that Panama will remove outside meddling and make the appropriate choice based on the long-term interests of both peoples and the state of bilateral relations overall," he continued.

Panama Withdraws from China's BRI

Following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio this month, President Jose Raul Mulino announced on Thursday that Panama had formally submitted a document to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative. However, he disputed that the United States had requested the move.

According to Lin, the more than 150 countries that have taken part in the Belt and Road Initiative have benefited their citizens, including more than 20 Latin American countries.

Panama became the first Latin American nation to formally join in November 2017, five months after Taiwan, the democratically run island Beijing claims as its own, changed diplomatic ties to China. 

Trump’s Warning to Panama

President Donald Trump of the United States has frequently claimed that Panama has given the canal to China, a claim that both countries refute.

The US built the Panama Canal in the early 20th century and handed it over to Panama in 1999. After returning to office, Donald Trump warned that the US might take back the Canal, claiming that China had taken control of it.

The Panama Canal is operated by China. "We're going to take it back, or something very powerful is going to happen," Donald Trump warned reporters, referring to the mistakenly handed item to Panama that was not given to China.

What is China’s BRI Project?

Launched by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been a crucial tool for Beijing to increase its economic clout globally by funding infrastructure projects across the globe. In order to secure more Chinese investments in infrastructure, Panama joined the effort in 2017 under former President Juan Carlos Varela.