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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

Diego Garcia has long served as a hub for US and British military operations in the Indian Ocean and Middle East. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

Exclusive | US official confirms Chagos talks amid reports Trump may buy strategic islands

Washington in ‘active talks’ to secure Diego Garcia base as White House weighs options, including making an offer to Mauritius.

9 Jun 2026 - 8:03PMvideocam

US-China relations

The new Panama? Why Nicaragua could be next front in US-China influence battle

9 Jun 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Opinion | China’s economic inroads in Latin America are hitting political walls

5 Jun 2026 - 2:23AMvideocam

United Nations

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

4 Jun 2026 - 2:39PM

The Austrian delegation celebrate their result. Photo: dpa

China-Latin America relations

US’ Cuba-China fears, Panama pressure: Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s shrinking China lifeline to the US’ Cuba worries, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in May 2026.

3 Jun 2026 - 12:38AM

China-Latin America relations

Panama rejects US pressure claims as it seeks to ease China tensions

Panamanian president looks to defuse issues with Beijing as South American country attempts to renew key China maritime agreement.

29 May 2026 - 6:19AMvideocam

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

China warns against ‘third party’ influence as Panama Canal port dispute simmers

Wang Yi also says Beijing ready to deepen cooperation with Panama City amid US pressure over operation of ports.

27 May 2026 - 7:56PMvideocam

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meet on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on Tuesday. Photo: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China-Latin America relations

Panama encourages dialogue at UN as canal tensions with China simmer

Panama’s foreign minister uses UN speech to help defuse tension after deterioration in Panama-China relations due to canal dispute.

27 May 2026 - 6:51AMvideocam

United States

US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian exchange house, 19 ships from shadow fleet

The Treasury’s move came after Iran ‌said its latest peace proposal to the US involved ending hostilities on all fronts.

19 May 2026 - 11:37PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Wary mood to mark Xi-Trump summit with irritants aplenty on both sides: analysts

Observers noted the number of recent strategic and trade blows, including the war on Iran, have not derailed the meeting from going ahead.

14 May 2026 - 1:50AMvideocam

President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping pictured in 2017 at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Photo: AP

Banking & finance

Investors bet CK Hutchison is exiting a mature sector at right time – once again

Disposal of VodafoneThree adds to Li family’s record of cycle-savvy moves, with investors weighing where war chest will flow next.

12 May 2026 - 7:00AM

For decades, the Li family, which controls CK Hutchison, has built a reputation for exiting businesses near the top of market cycles, according to analysts. Photo: Sam Tsang

South Korea

South Korea rejects Trump’s claim that ship ‘decided to go it alone’

Iran says it ‘firmly rejects and categorically denies’ allegations that it was responsible for the explosion on board the HMM Namu.

7 May 2026 - 3:18PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Panama minister slams China ship crackdown, tells deputies in Beijing: push back

Foreign minister says court ruling must not be used as leverage against Panama’s merchant fleet as ship detentions mount.

6 May 2026 - 3:39AMvideocam

South Korea

South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire

A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.

6 May 2026 - 9:16AMvideocam

South Koreans protest in Seoul last month against an earlier request by US President Donald Trump to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP

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 April 2026.

30 May 2026 - 5:09AM

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

Asean

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

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are united in upholding the principle of free passage but this must be ‘actively maintained’, analysts say.

28 Apr 2026 - 6:35PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

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

Amid US actions in the two major shipping channels, attention has shifted to the strategic importance and potential risks elsewhere.

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

People work on a construction project at the Port of Balboa, managed by Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings, at the entrance to the Panama Canal in February. Photo: AFP

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

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

Cristobal port was seized by Panamanian authorities in February. Photo: AFP

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

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Panama

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | US official confirms Chagos talks amid reports Trump may buy strategic islands

Washington in ‘active talks’ to secure Diego Garcia base as White House weighs options, including making an offer to Mauritius.

The new Panama? Why Nicaragua could be next front in US-China influence battle

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China’s economic inroads in Latin America are hitting political walls

Portugal and Austria defeat Germany for seats on UN Security Council

Kyrgyzstan beat the Philippines by a vote of 143-49 to join the council for the first time.

US’ Cuba-China fears, Panama pressure: Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s shrinking China lifeline to the US’ Cuba worries, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in May 2026.

Panama rejects US pressure claims as it seeks to ease China tensions

Panamanian president looks to defuse issues with Beijing as South American country attempts to renew key China maritime agreement.

China warns against ‘third party’ influence as Panama Canal port dispute simmers

Wang Yi also says Beijing ready to deepen cooperation with Panama City amid US pressure over operation of ports.

Panama encourages dialogue at UN as canal tensions with China simmer

Panama’s foreign minister uses UN speech to help defuse tension after deterioration in Panama-China relations due to canal dispute.

US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian exchange house, 19 ships from shadow fleet

The Treasury’s move came after Iran ‌said its latest peace proposal to the US involved ending hostilities on all fronts.

Wary mood to mark Xi-Trump summit with irritants aplenty on both sides: analysts

Observers noted the number of recent strategic and trade blows, including the war on Iran, have not derailed the meeting from going ahead.

Investors bet CK Hutchison is exiting a mature sector at right time – once again

Disposal of VodafoneThree adds to Li family’s record of cycle-savvy moves, with investors weighing where war chest will flow next.

South Korea rejects Trump’s claim that ship ‘decided to go it alone’

Iran says it ‘firmly rejects and categorically denies’ allegations that it was responsible for the explosion on board the HMM Namu.

Panama minister slams China ship crackdown, tells deputies in Beijing: push back

Foreign minister says court ruling must not be used as leverage against Panama’s merchant fleet as ship detentions mount.

South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire

A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.

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 April 2026.

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

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are united in upholding the principle of free passage but this must be ‘actively maintained’, analysts say.

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

Amid US actions in the two major shipping channels, attention has shifted to the strategic importance and potential risks elsewhere.

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.

Exclusive | US official confirms Chagos talks amid reports Trump may buy strategic islands

Opinion | China’s economic inroads in Latin America are hitting political walls