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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

People walk past a mural with the Cuban flag in Havana, Cuba, on April 15. Photo: EPA

China-Latin America relations

Beijing backs Cuba, Chile reveals smuggling ring: Latin America relations reads

From a smuggling ring in Chile to rare earth wrangling in Brazil, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

1 May 2026 - 11:00PM

Asean

Why Malacca Strait tolls are unlikely despite Indonesia’s maritime push

28 Apr 2026 - 6:35PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Beyond Panama and Hormuz: 8 critical waterways under the global microscope

21 Apr 2026 - 1:12AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?

With regime change increasingly out of reach, the US president may pivot towards a business deal with Tehran’s fractured leadership.

9 Apr 2026 - 8:45PMvideocam

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates last month. Photo: AP

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$280,000 worth of dried shark fins from Panama

Officers say goods declared as dried fish maw and weighed about 162kg.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:53PM

China-Latin America relations

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

3 Apr 2026 - 4:35PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

US threats for Chile, China tariffs Mexico: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

1 Apr 2026 - 11:00PM

Chile’s President Jose Antonio Kast greets supporters. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator.

1 Apr 2026 - 1:07AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison expands Panama ports claim as losses ‘surpass’ US$2 billion

Subsidiary Panama Ports Company slams Panamanian government’s ‘attack campaign’ as it expands international arbitration claim over damages.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:12PM

SCMP Highlights

China’s jet designer removed online; US warships’ Malaysia stop: 7 highlights

From US warships’ stop in Penang to Jollibee representing Southeast Asian brands globally, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

20 Mar 2026 - 1:20PM

The United States Navy’s USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara are seen docked at the North Butterworth Container Terminal in Penang, Malaysia, on Sunday. Photo: Facebook / Sherwynd Kessler

Hong Kong economy

Panama⁠ accuses CK Hutchison subsidiary of lying about arbitration response

President Jose Raul Mulino slams Panama Ports Company for accusing country of failing to file response to arbitration request.

20 Mar 2026 - 6:37PM

Balboa port was taken over by Panamanian authorities in February. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison vows to pursue ‘all legal remedies’ over seized Panama ports

Group says diversified network could benefit from higher storage revenue as inventory demand rises amid Strait of Hormuz crisis.

19 Mar 2026 - 10:50PM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison reports 7% gain in underlying profit

Diversified business mitigates impact of adverse developments including ‘legal conflict’ over Panama ports, chairman says.

19 Mar 2026 - 6:31PM

Hong Kong stock market

China-based Cosco Shipping Ports expects ‘limited’ impact from Iran conflict

Unit of Cosco Shipping reports 1.1 per cent profit increase on 6.2 per cent rise in throughput in 2025.

18 Mar 2026 - 8:31PM

An automated container handler moves a Cosco shipping container at the Long Beach Container Terminal at the Port of Long Beach in California on January 14, 2026. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama for missing arbitration deadline

Panama Ports Company also confirms offices were raided by alleged ‘armed security forces’ and accuses authorities of disregarding rule of law.

17 Mar 2026 - 7:37PM

Balboa port was seized by Panamanian authorities in February. Photo: AP

China trade

As shipping risks mount, Xi pushes international port alliance as fail-safe

A speech last year highlights Beijing’s focus on maritime rights – a concern analysts say will only intensify as threats to global shipping increase.

17 Mar 2026 - 12:22PM

China-Latin America relations

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

US consul-general Kevin Murakami told port executives the Santos megadeal should not fall into ‘unwanted hands’.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:12AMvideocam

China trade

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

Intensified inspections for Panama-flagged vessels – among the world’s most common registrations – retaliation for canal port seizure, source says.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

Containers sit at the Balboa terminal, formerly run by CK Hutchison’s Panama Ports, after the Panama government ordered the occupation of the port following a court ruling that the concession was unconstitutional. Photo: AP

Hong Kong politics

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

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

Ships sit anchored in Muscat, Oman, on Monday, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters

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

Hong Kong economy

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

Hong Kong economy

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

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Panama

Beijing backs Cuba, Chile reveals smuggling ring: Latin America relations reads

From a smuggling ring in Chile to rare earth wrangling in Brazil, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

Why Malacca Strait tolls are unlikely despite Indonesia’s maritime push

Beyond Panama and Hormuz: 8 critical waterways under the global microscope

Strait of Hormuz: is a Trump‑Iran joint venture really possible?

With regime change increasingly out of reach, the US president may pivot towards a business deal with Tehran’s fractured leadership.

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$280,000 worth of dried shark fins from Panama

Officers say goods declared as dried fish maw and weighed about 162kg.

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

US threats for Chile, China tariffs Mexico: 7 Latin America relations reads

From Panama Canal woes to an undersea cable scandal in Chile, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in March 2026.

China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator.

CK Hutchison expands Panama ports claim as losses ‘surpass’ US$2 billion

Subsidiary Panama Ports Company slams Panamanian government’s ‘attack campaign’ as it expands international arbitration claim over damages.

China’s jet designer removed online; US warships’ Malaysia stop: 7 highlights

From US warships’ stop in Penang to Jollibee representing Southeast Asian brands globally, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Panama⁠ accuses CK Hutchison subsidiary of lying about arbitration response

President Jose Raul Mulino slams Panama Ports Company for accusing country of failing to file response to arbitration request.

CK Hutchison vows to pursue ‘all legal remedies’ over seized Panama ports

Group says diversified network could benefit from higher storage revenue as inventory demand rises amid Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison reports 7% gain in underlying profit

Diversified business mitigates impact of adverse developments including ‘legal conflict’ over Panama ports, chairman says.

China-based Cosco Shipping Ports expects ‘limited’ impact from Iran conflict

Unit of Cosco Shipping reports 1.1 per cent profit increase on 6.2 per cent rise in throughput in 2025.

CK Hutchison subsidiary slams Panama for missing arbitration deadline

Panama Ports Company also confirms offices were raided by alleged ‘armed security forces’ and accuses authorities of disregarding rule of law.

As shipping risks mount, Xi pushes international port alliance as fail-safe

A speech last year highlights Beijing’s focus on maritime rights – a concern analysts say will only intensify as threats to global shipping increase.

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

US consul-general Kevin Murakami told port executives the Santos megadeal should not fall into ‘unwanted hands’.

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

Intensified inspections for Panama-flagged vessels – among the world’s most common registrations – retaliation for canal port seizure, source says.

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.

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.

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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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