Panama

China wants Brazil’s biggest port terminal. Washington just said no

17 Mar 2026 - 3:12AMvideocam

China trade

Papers please: China raises pressure on Panama with ship inspection wave

16 Mar 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

Panama urges Chinese shipping giant Cosco to resume operations at canal

Minister for Canal Affairs Jose Ramon Icaza says Cosco’s 4 per cent of cargo transshipped in Balboa is ‘significant’ and hopes company returns.

15 Mar 2026 - 9:06PM

State-owned Cosco owns one of the world’s largest tanker fleets. Photo: AFP

US-China trade war

China summons Maersk, MSC on shipping operations amid Panama saga, Iran war

Beijing gave no reason for order – but both firms at centre of dispute after Panama ruled against CK Hutchison’s operation of two ports.

10 Mar 2026 - 3:11PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Ships brandish China links to evade Iran’s attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Vessels are claiming to have an ‘all-Chinese crew’ or ‘Chinese owner’ in a bid to reduce the risk of being targeted.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:52AMvideocam

War and conflict

Opinion | Superpower contest puts Iran, Panama, Venezuela and Greenland on one map

When one crisis touches canal access, another hits crude and a third touches the Strait of Hormuz, it is hard to call these a coincidence.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, speak at a press conference on US military action in Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington on March 2. Photo: AFP

Two Sessions 2026

China ‘stands firm as a mountain’ to protect overseas interests, compatriots

Pledge from Foreign Minister Wang Yi at most-watched press briefing comes as global volatility tests supply chains and regional influence.

9 Mar 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

My Take

My Take | An America in decline will keep losing wars to weaker foes – including in Iran

When battles become a matter of choice rather than necessity or survival, US leaders have a preternatural ability to choose badly and undermine their own country.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:39AM

CK Hutchison subsidiary seeks US$2 billion for Panama’s takeover of canal ports

Panama Ports Company says it has submitted claim for arbitration in compliance with rules of International Chamber of Commerce.

7 Mar 2026 - 9:18PM

CK Hutchison escalates legal action over Panama ports seizure

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate accuses Panama authorities of ignoring requests for communication and keeping group in the dark.

6 Mar 2026 - 9:35PM

Panamanian police search a Panama Ports Company office. Photo Reuters

SCMP Highlights

Woman marries 2 men in Thailand, China’s bamboo-fibre drone: 7 highlights

From a woman marrying two men in Thailand to a bamboo-fibre drone, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

6 Mar 2026 - 12:45PM

China trade

Despite loss of Panama Canal, China investing US$23.9b in global seaports: study

Beijing funds 363 ports outside the Panama Canal to safeguard against East-West decoupling and US bid to curb China’s supply chain influence.

6 Mar 2026 - 10:20AMvideocam

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama over ‘unnotified intrusion’ at storage site

Panama Ports Company accuses Panamanian authorities of undermining due process with raid, slams earlier takeover of canal ports as ‘illegal’.

28 Feb 2026 - 8:24PM

A subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings previously operated two ports at either end of the Panama Canal before the country took over. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

Panama raids CK Hutchison subsidiary office, days after taking over canal ports

Panamanian media says local authorities searched office of Panama Ports Company, which operated Balboa and Cristobal ports until this week.

27 Feb 2026 - 9:42PM

Opinion | Panama’s ports grab may be politically expedient, but at what cost?

In global logistics, reliability is currency. When commitments become provisional, the cost is measured not only in legal fees but in confidence.

26 Feb 2026 - 10:45AM

The View | Venezuela and Panama aren’t the whole story of China in Latin America

While recent events highlight the risks in volatile states, China’s position in Latin America is rooted in deep trade and investment links with the region’s largest economies.

24 Feb 2026 - 6:46PMvideocam

Panama’s port takeover ‘culmination of a campaign’ against CK Hutchison

Company says officials entered terminals ‘without invitation’, told staff concession had ended and ordered immediate halt to operations.

25 Feb 2026 - 1:18AM

CK Hutchison has said Panama will be responsible for “any harm and damage caused by the confiscatory actions it has taken”. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

Panama ousts Hong Kong operator from canal ports in ruling backed by Washington

White House says Panama’s move to assert sovereignty over Balboa and Cristobal aligns with Donald Trump’s vision for the canal.

24 Feb 2026 - 9:43AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

US forces board another tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean

The Veronica III, which sails under the Panamanian flag, is subject to US sanctions related to Iran, the US says.

16 Feb 2026 - 8:33AM

Editorial | Panama’s U-turn on a business deal under pressure dents investor confidence

Revoking CK Hutchison’s rights to run two canal ports is a decision that not only affects Hong Kong – it strikes at the heart of international commerce.

14 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

A view of the administrative entrance at the port of Balboa in Panama City, taken on February 12. Photo: AFP

CK Hutchison pursues ‘all legal options’ on Panama ports, invites consultations

Conglomerate says authorities have ‘advanced steps towards a forced exit’ of Panama Ports Company (PPC) and are preparing to transition port operations.

13 Feb 2026 - 4:25AM

The Panama Ports Company operates two terminals in the strategic canal. Photo: Reuters

China vows to ‘do what it can’ as US blockade leaves Cuba with just weeks of oil

Beijing pledges continued support for Cuba and champions Havana’s sovereignty as the island grapples with worsening fuel shortages.

12 Feb 2026 - 7:38AMvideocam

Ports row prompts Hong Kong investors to reassess stakes in Panama: John Lee

City leader also says Hong Kong government fully supports Beijing’s intention to safeguard rights of Chinese enterprises.

10 Feb 2026 - 8:40PM

China urged to ‘harshly’ punish Panama over court’s canal ruling

Legal analyst says Beijing should ‘consider postponing arrangements’ for Donald Trump’s visit over a ruling against a Hong Kong-based firm.

9 Feb 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

100

A Panamanian court has voided CK Hutchison’s contract to run Panama Canal ports. Photo: AP

CK Hutchison set for hard fight to secure Panama port deal compensation: experts

Subsidiary has requested arbitration after Panamanian authorities voided concession contract but securing damages may be difficult, they warn.

8 Feb 2026 - 11:10PM

CK Hutchison has launched an arbitration in response to a Panama court judgment that ruled PPC’s concession to operate two ports to be “unconstitutional”. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong summons Panama envoy over court ruling on CK Hutchison ports concession

Commerce minister Algernon Yau says Panama ruling to strip Li Ka-shing firm’s subsidiary of canal port rights ‘undermines’ trade rules.

7 Feb 2026 - 3:30PM