Chinese anger grows over sale of Panama ports to US company

The Hong Kong-based Changjiang Hejie Group plans to sell a port in Panama, drawing sharp criticism from the Chinese regime.

According to a New York Times report on March 17, the Hong Kong-based Changjiang Hejie Group plans to sell ports in Panama and other regions to an investment group led by an American capital management firm. The Chinese regime has strongly criticized the deal, warning that it will lead to China losing its influence over important maritime routes.

This criticism reflects a shift in China's policy of controlling ports in Panama and other international ports. Soon after President Trump took office, he expressed concern that China was exerting excessive influence over the Panama Canal. At the time, China ridiculed his remarks.

However, the Hong Kong newspaper Takongbao, considered a mouthpiece of China, criticized the port sale plan. In an analytical article published Thursday, the newspaper criticized the Hong Kong-based Changjiang Hejie Group's plan. Changjiang Hejie plans to sell ports on both sides of the Panama Canal and more than 40 other ports worldwide to an investment group led by US investment giant BlackRock for $19 billion.

Tacongbao is China's voice in Hong Kong and has been praised by Chinese President Xi Jinping. To prevent others from misunderstanding the purpose of this analysis, the government body overseeing China's policy in Hong Kong immediately posted this article on its website.