(Adnkronos) – “We agree with Panamanian President Mulino that Panama’s sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable and that the channel is not under the direct or indirect control of any great power.” This was stated by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning during a press conference, responding to a question about the words of US President Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal.
Mao said that ”China does not participate in the management and operation of the channel and does not interfere in the affairs of the channel”. Beijing, she added, ”respects Panama’s sovereignty over the channel and recognizes the channel as a permanent and neutral international waterway”.
