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Panama

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Panama. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Panama City

Head of State

President José Raúl Mulino

Head of Government

President José Raúl Mulino

A container ship arrives at the Port of Balboa in Panama City, Panama, on October 27. Latin America has emerged as a focal point in the competition between Washington and Beijing. Photo: EPA

China-Latin America relations

China pledges aid to Latin America, Caribbean with no ‘political conditions’

Third strategy paper of its kind released as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in a region Washington actively courts.

11 Dec 2025 - 12:07AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

6 Dec 2025 - 7:37AMvideocam

Science

China trains industry AI tool using ‘world’s largest’ port operation data set

3 Dec 2025 - 7:13PMvideocam

United States

Opinion | Venezuela? Trump’s real aim could be laying claim to the western hemisphere

In the aftermath of American exceptionalism, Trump and Xi could form respective ‘greater areas’, each ordered by their own nation’s political and legal norms.

23 Nov 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

A T-shirt worn by a Maduro supporter at a rally against US military activity in the Caribbean, in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas on October 30. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/TNS

US-China relations

China accuses US of undermining ties with Greece in envoy’s Piraeus port remarks

Washington’s ambassador under fire after urging Athens to sell the ancient port operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco.

20 Nov 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Advisory panel urges US Congress to put Hong Kong on tighter sanctions leash

Report says government’s ongoing crackdown on dissidents ‘has eliminated a once vibrant civil society and created an atmosphere of repression comparable to mainland China’.

18 Nov 2025 - 4:26PM

China trade

Where are the ‘choke points’ in global trade – and can they be overcome?

Global trade growth is set to slow by 0.6 per cent in 2026, Allianz Trade says, as tariffs cut deep and major routes get congested.

10 Nov 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

A cargo ship sails into the port in Qingdao in China’s eastern Shandong province on November 3. Photo: AFP/China OUT

Hong Kong economy

Panama ‘moving fast’ to pre-qualify bidders to build 2 new port terminals

One-on-one meetings set for first week of December, canal’s chief administrator says amid stalled sale of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s ports.

7 Nov 2025 - 9:47PM

Hong Kong economy

Panama seeks partners in new port plan that ‘may ease US-China rivalry’

Panama Canal Authority says it has ‘launched a consultation process with representatives of the maritime industry to identify potential partners’.

28 Oct 2025 - 9:43PM

SCMP Highlights

Trump-Albanese meeting, China patrols disputed waters: SCMP daily highlights

From a US trade blacklist sparking tensions to Trump downplaying mainland China’s threat to Taiwan, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

21 Oct 2025 - 9:15PM

US President Donald Trump greets Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House on Monday. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

China says US visa threats to Central America show ‘lack of basic respect’

Washington has threatened entry curbs on officials and others from the region seen as ‘acting on behalf’ of the Communist Party of China.

21 Oct 2025 - 10:17PMvideocam

The Panama Canal has been central to the contest for influence between the United States and China. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

CK Hutchison gets encouraging signs of a deal with Panama government

Panama is still open to being flexible and reaching an amicable agreement with CK Hutchison, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.

21 Oct 2025 - 6:49AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Will Peru’s Chancay Port be the next ‘Panama moment’ for China?

The Chinese-invested facility is a flagship belt and road project in Latin America, a region the US sees as its backyard.

13 Oct 2025 - 11:57PMvideocam

Mainland China

China says top US envoy to Panama ‘spreading lies’ after ‘malign’ presence jibe

Exchange of sharp accusations is latest instance of US-China tensions flaring over strategically important Central American country.

6 Oct 2025 - 9:50PMvideocam

The destroyer USS Stockdale docks at the port of Balboa in Panama City on September 20. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

UN Security Council approves new military force to battle Haiti’s gangs

The security force can deploy up to 5,500 uniformed personnel, five times the size of the current law enforcement mission.

1 Oct 2025 - 3:05PM

A Haitian police officer patrols in Kenscoff, a suburb of Port-au-Prince. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Announcing canal revamp, Panama dodges questions about Chinese ownership

Demand from China and other Asian markets for energy products that terminal expansions will accommodate is expected to double.

17 Sep 2025 - 4:58AMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Who is the 94-year-old Hong Kong war veteran who shook hands with President Xi?

Xi calls Lo King-fai ‘an old hero’ at Victory Day parade on Wednesday, as veteran shares war stories, stresses importance of remembering history.

5 Sep 2025 - 9:47AMvideocam

US-China relations

Beijing slams Washington after Panama lawmakers join ‘anti-China’ group

Beijing has dismissed the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China as a tool of Washington and accused it of spreading disinformation.

28 Aug 2025 - 3:14AMvideocam

US Ambassador to Panama Kevin Cabrera during a press conference in Panama City in May. Photo: AP

Hong Kong stock market

CK Hutchison says US$23 billion global ports sale delayed until 2026

The deal is taking much longer than expected because of the size and complexity, co-managing director Frank Sixt says.

14 Aug 2025 - 10:33PM

United Nations

Plastic pollution talks in disarray as nations reject draft treaty

Some countries blasted the lack of legally binding action, while oil-producing states say the text goes too far.

14 Aug 2025 - 5:17AMvideocam

China trade

Despite US-China tariff truce, the turning tide keeps reshaping shipping routes

Analysts do not expect tariffs to be eliminated, regardless of what happens in the coming three months, and this could continue weighing on US import volumes.

12 Aug 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Containers are seen at a port in Shanghai on Thursday. The latest shipping rates from Shanghai to the US west coast and east coast have fallen by more than half from their peak in early June. Photo: AFP

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

China accuses US of ‘lies as pretext for seeking control’ of Panama Canal

US envoy tells UN meeting that Beijing’s influence is a ‘risk to Panama and the US’ and a ‘potential threat to global trade and security’.

12 Aug 2025 - 8:14PMvideocam

China’s ambassador to the UN Fu Cong said China had always respected the neutrality of the Panama Canal. US envoy Dorothy Shea, however, spoke about concerns over China’s “outsized influence” over the canal region. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Ban Chinese-linked operators from key Panama Canal ports, US envoy says

Cabrera calls CK Hutchison ‘a bad operator’ and ‘a company of the Communist Party’.

8 Aug 2025 - 6:43AMvideocam

Millionaires and billionaires

Tsz Shan Monastery book offers peek into Li Ka-shing’s philosophy

Titled ‘Eternity in Light’, the five-chapter tome features writings about the Tsz Shan Monastery to mark its 10th anniversary.

7 Aug 2025 - 3:20PM

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

CK Hutchison’s US$22.8 billion ports deal flounders on Panama

New legal challenges in Panama add another hurdle to Li Ka-shing’s global port sale, while attempts to allay Chinese concerns about the deal risk inflaming US opposition.

5 Aug 2025 - 5:01PM

Hong Kong economy

Another storm brews for CK Hutchison under Panama ports partnership proposal

State partnership plan floated by Panamanian president could trigger significant losses for Hong Kong-based conglomerate, experts warned.

5 Aug 2025 - 5:36PM

Balboa is one of two Panama Canal ports operated by a unit of CK Hutchison. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Panama ports deal: Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison urges respect for rule of law

Panama’s president has floated the idea of state partnerships taking over ports operation in country.

2 Aug 2025 - 1:57AM

SCMP Highlights

China’s most dynamic cities, Japan’s space defence strategy: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s Politburo calling economic policy support to be stepped up to the Panama ports investigation, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

30 Jul 2025 - 9:15PM

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Panama

China pledges aid to Latin America, Caribbean with no ‘political conditions’

Third strategy paper of its kind released as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in a region Washington actively courts.

Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

China trains industry AI tool using ‘world’s largest’ port operation data set

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Venezuela? Trump’s real aim could be laying claim to the western hemisphere

In the aftermath of American exceptionalism, Trump and Xi could form respective ‘greater areas’, each ordered by their own nation’s political and legal norms.

China accuses US of undermining ties with Greece in envoy’s Piraeus port remarks

Washington’s ambassador under fire after urging Athens to sell the ancient port operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco.

Advisory panel urges US Congress to put Hong Kong on tighter sanctions leash

Report says government’s ongoing crackdown on dissidents ‘has eliminated a once vibrant civil society and created an atmosphere of repression comparable to mainland China’.

Where are the ‘choke points’ in global trade – and can they be overcome?

Global trade growth is set to slow by 0.6 per cent in 2026, Allianz Trade says, as tariffs cut deep and major routes get congested.

Panama ‘moving fast’ to pre-qualify bidders to build 2 new port terminals

One-on-one meetings set for first week of December, canal’s chief administrator says amid stalled sale of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s ports.

Panama seeks partners in new port plan that ‘may ease US-China rivalry’

Panama Canal Authority says it has ‘launched a consultation process with representatives of the maritime industry to identify potential partners’.

Trump-Albanese meeting, China patrols disputed waters: SCMP daily highlights

From a US trade blacklist sparking tensions to Trump downplaying mainland China’s threat to Taiwan, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China says US visa threats to Central America show ‘lack of basic respect’

Washington has threatened entry curbs on officials and others from the region seen as ‘acting on behalf’ of the Communist Party of China.

CK Hutchison gets encouraging signs of a deal with Panama government

Panama is still open to being flexible and reaching an amicable agreement with CK Hutchison, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.

Will Peru’s Chancay Port be the next ‘Panama moment’ for China?

The Chinese-invested facility is a flagship belt and road project in Latin America, a region the US sees as its backyard.

China says top US envoy to Panama ‘spreading lies’ after ‘malign’ presence jibe

Exchange of sharp accusations is latest instance of US-China tensions flaring over strategically important Central American country.

UN Security Council approves new military force to battle Haiti’s gangs

The security force can deploy up to 5,500 uniformed personnel, five times the size of the current law enforcement mission.

Announcing canal revamp, Panama dodges questions about Chinese ownership

Demand from China and other Asian markets for energy products that terminal expansions will accommodate is expected to double.

Who is the 94-year-old Hong Kong war veteran who shook hands with President Xi?

Xi calls Lo King-fai ‘an old hero’ at Victory Day parade on Wednesday, as veteran shares war stories, stresses importance of remembering history.

Beijing slams Washington after Panama lawmakers join ‘anti-China’ group

Beijing has dismissed the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China as a tool of Washington and accused it of spreading disinformation.

CK Hutchison says US$23 billion global ports sale delayed until 2026

The deal is taking much longer than expected because of the size and complexity, co-managing director Frank Sixt says.

Plastic pollution talks in disarray as nations reject draft treaty

Some countries blasted the lack of legally binding action, while oil-producing states say the text goes too far.

Despite US-China tariff truce, the turning tide keeps reshaping shipping routes

Analysts do not expect tariffs to be eliminated, regardless of what happens in the coming three months, and this could continue weighing on US import volumes.

China accuses US of ‘lies as pretext for seeking control’ of Panama Canal

US envoy tells UN meeting that Beijing’s influence is a ‘risk to Panama and the US’ and a ‘potential threat to global trade and security’.

Ban Chinese-linked operators from key Panama Canal ports, US envoy says

Cabrera calls CK Hutchison ‘a bad operator’ and ‘a company of the Communist Party’.

Tsz Shan Monastery book offers peek into Li Ka-shing’s philosophy

Titled ‘Eternity in Light’, the five-chapter tome features writings about the Tsz Shan Monastery to mark its 10th anniversary.

CK Hutchison’s US$22.8 billion ports deal flounders on Panama

New legal challenges in Panama add another hurdle to Li Ka-shing’s global port sale, while attempts to allay Chinese concerns about the deal risk inflaming US opposition.

Another storm brews for CK Hutchison under Panama ports partnership proposal

State partnership plan floated by Panamanian president could trigger significant losses for Hong Kong-based conglomerate, experts warned.

Panama ports deal: Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison urges respect for rule of law

Panama’s president has floated the idea of state partnerships taking over ports operation in country.

China’s most dynamic cities, Japan’s space defence strategy: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s Politburo calling economic policy support to be stepped up to the Panama ports investigation, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Opinion | Venezuela? Trump’s real aim could be laying claim to the western hemisphere