Criticism voiced in Beijing office article regarding Hutchison agreement and potential division of ports

Rewritten Article

The plan by CK Hutchison Holdings to divest two Panama Canal facilities from its controversial port deal is deemed insignificant, according to a report by a pro-Beijing media, with the crux lying in whether those selling ports will be under the control of the U.S government.

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) published an article by Ta Kung Pao, criticizing the deal, on its website on Tuesday, following another similar article posted the previous day.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant with Beijing's semi-official think tank, the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, is quoted in the article as stating that the separation of the port sale would have little practical significance.

He argues that the core issue revolves around whether the ports are subject to pressure and control from the U.S government, rather than the transaction details.

He further contends that discriminatory measures against Chinese vessels or companies could be imposed at the two relevant ports under the influence of the US government if the transaction is completed.

In the rapidly evolving global landscape, every decision made by the Chinese government starts from national interests and security, an essential safeguard for upholding national sovereignty and development.

Tensions over Panama Canal operations reveal competing national interests and strategic implications tied to U.S efforts to counter China's influence, with concerns over China's expanding commercial and military infrastructure in the region.

Ensuring stable canal operations is crucial, as over 40% of U.S container traffic passes through it. Recent audits targeting CK Hutchison's Panama Ports Company (PPC) for alleged unpaid dues highlight efforts to scrutinize China-linked entities.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino publicly rejects U.S claims of existing military agreements, emphasizing neutrality under the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Panama collaborates with the U.S on cybersecurity and training, while seeking compensation mechanisms for U.S transit fees.

The audit against PPC could pressure China-aligned entities to relinquish operational control, aligning with Trump's demands to minimize Chinese influence. Accusations of unpaid dues and contract disputes may destabilize port operations, escalating U.S-China rivalry in a region critical to global shipping.

The U.S may increasingly militarize the canal zone, potentially undermining regional stability. Prolonged disputes could deter investment and complicate logistics for the 3% of global maritime trade dependent on the canal. Panama's balancing act between neutrality and U.S collaboration tests its diplomatic autonomy, with implications for Latin American geopolitics.

This interplay underscores the canal's role as both an economic artery and a flashpoint in U.S-China hegemony struggles, with Panama caught between asserting sovereignty and external pressures.

The fundamental issue at hand is not the divestment of Panama Canal facilities by CK Hutchison Holdings, but whether these facilities, if sold, will be under the control of the U.S government, as hinted by Lau Siu-kai, a consultant with the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies.
In the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, the US-China rivalry is evident in the Panama Canal operations, with the US seeking to safeguard its interests against China's expanding influence in the region.
The global news landscape is abuzz with the potential implications of the US-China conflict, as evidenced by the audits targeting CK Hutchison's Panama Ports Company for alleged unpaid dues. These audits are seen as an attempt to scrutinize China-linked entities.
Amidst war-and-conflicts and the constant jostling for power, the strategic location of the Panama Canal makes it a fundamental aspect of the global shipping industry, with over 40% of US container traffic passing through it.
The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) has reposted articles criticizing the deal between CK Hutchison Holdings and the Panama Canal facilities, highlighting the political implications and the need to safeguard national interests and security.