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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

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth fields questions during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Pentagon chief assures lawmakers on review of US-Britain-Australia pact

‘Congress will be involved’ in 30-day assessment of Aukus alliance formed to counter Beijing’s regional clout, defence secretary testifies.

2 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong economy

China ‘respects Panama Canal neutrality’ amid warning over CK Hutchison deal

11 Jun 2025 - 9:36PM

John Lee

Exclusive | Hong Kong firms must consider national interests in commercial deals: John Lee

9 Jun 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Why all in Hong Kong, even the opposition, should support mediation body playing

Trust in mediation depends on strong governance, and Hong Kong’s role in this domain must be reinforced through institutional integrity.

3 Jun 2025 - 12:12PMvideocam

The International Organization for Mediation headquarters in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district, on May 30. Photo: Dickson Lee

Australia

Editorial | Port in storm threat to China-Australia ties

Bid by Canberra to buy back Darwin facility now that Chinese company is making a profit risks damaging warming relations.

29 May 2025 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison stresses need for war chest amid geopolitical tensions

Victor Li says firm must maintain fiscal health, as another executive stresses US$23 billion sale of stake in overseas ports will comply with regulations.

22 May 2025 - 11:35PM

US-China trade war

Cargo surge, private sector promotion law and more

This week: Container bookings rise as China and the US agree to 90-day tariff pause, US moves to bar use of Huawei AI chips “anywhere” and the EU has “no intention” to revive China investment deal. Next week: April data dump, private sector promotion law takes effect, USTR hearing on tariffs on Chinese ship-to-shore cranes and more.

16 May 2025 - 5:20PM

Hong Kong politics

Beijing cautions Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison to ‘act with prudence’ over port deal

Warning by Ministry of Commerce comes after Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate pledged any sale would not violate laws amid antitrust probe.

15 May 2025 - 10:27PM

Hong Kong politics

Xia Baolong’s 4 ‘hopes’ viewed as ‘wake-up call’ for Hong Kong, Macau firms

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director’s message takes aim at CK Hutchison Holdings and businesses with ties to the US, analyst says.

13 May 2025 - 11:49PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings pledges Panama port deal won’t violate laws

Statement comes after mainland China’s market regulator asked parties involved not to circumvent ongoing antitrust probe.

13 May 2025 - 9:49PM

The Port of Balboa, managed by CK Hutchison Holdings, at the entrance to the Panama Canal. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s Li Ka-shing in rare public appearance, declines to discuss port deal

Tycoon appears at Kai Tak Stadium where Taiwanese band Mayday is playing string of shows, but declines to discuss controversial ports deal.

11 May 2025 - 9:22PM

Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing attends a concert at Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday. Photo: Cable News

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously pass motion seeking unity against Trump tariffs

Some lawmakers also use Legislative Council session to call for tycoon Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison not to go ahead with selling Panama ports.

8 May 2025 - 11:43PM

United States

Opinion | What countries aligning with Trump must ask themselves

It is becoming increasingly clear that the “America first” policy sees an inherent conflict between the US and the rest of the world.

8 May 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Li Ka-shing appears in person for first time since ports deal

Elderly founder of CK Hutchison visits hospital to see demonstration of cutting-edge device donated by Li Ka Shing Foundation.

30 Apr 2025 - 12:28PM

Li Ka-shing (left) with Dr Walton Li, CEO of HKSH Medical Group and Medical Superintendent of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. Photo: Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital

Hong Kong politics

Beijing office posts article critical of splitting ports off in Hutchison deal

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office reposts second article by Ta Kung Pao critical of deal, the second in two days.

29 Apr 2025 - 10:56PM

The Port of Balboa at the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Hutchison ports deal: China’s foreign ministry tells parties to ‘act prudently’

Spokesman weighs in on reports that Panama Canal ports may be separated from controversial US$23 billion deal.

28 Apr 2025 - 10:19PM

Donald Trump

Trump says US ships should travel through Panama and Suez canals for free

The US president says he has asked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ‘immediately take care of’ the matter.

27 Apr 2025 - 6:46AMvideocam

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

In hot water: CK Hutchison's ports deal risks being dunked

The company’s Panama Canal ports are at the centre of a geopolitical storm that shows no sign of abating

25 Apr 2025 - 10:02AM

In hot water: CK Hutchison’s ports deal risks being dunked

Hong Kong economy

Twist in Hutchison ports deal as Italian shipping family’s role surfaces

Aponte family owns world’s largest container line, which is spearheading the strategic acquisition of CK Hutchison’s overseas ports.

18 Apr 2025 - 9:06PM

Hong Kong politics

BlackRock ‘eyes control of 2 Panama ports in Hutchison deal, MSC family others’

Source says while consortium is seeking to buy portfolio, US firm aims to take 51 per cent stake in CK Hutchison’s interest in Panama ports.

15 Apr 2025 - 2:11AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

‘Total misperception’ Panama Canal under China’s influence, official says

Panama has to do ‘very, very good job’ in explaining to US administration that there is no foreign interference, vice-minister says.

13 Apr 2025 - 8:23PMvideocam

United States

US seals Panama deal to deploy troops to canal amid Trump’s takeover threats

But the pact stops short of allowing Washington to build its own bases on the isthmus, a move Panama warned would ‘set the country on fire’.

11 Apr 2025 - 10:41AMvideocam

US and Panamanian officials wave to workers on a boat during a tour of the canal’s Miraflores Locks in Panama City on April 8. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Pentagon chief says US could ‘revive’ Panama bases to secure canal

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US is not looking for war with China, but will counter Beijing’s ‘threats’ to the region.

10 Apr 2025 - 5:26AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

CK Hutchison defends Panama ports concession, breaking silence on controversy

Subsidiary of Li Ka-shing’s firm denies claims made by Panamanian lawyers in challenge over ports that are part of wider US$23 billion deal.

10 Apr 2025 - 12:40AM

Hong Kong economy

Can Panama’s audit give Hutchison a way out of geopolitical storm?

Anel Flores, Panama’s comptroller general, on Tuesday presented results of sweeping financial audit of ports concession with Hong Kong company.

9 Apr 2025 - 8:30AMvideocam

Some experts have argued there is no “risk-free” exit for the Hong Kong company now that it is under pressure from three sides. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

US will take back Panama Canal from ‘China’s influence’: Trump defence chief

Pete Hegseth said Beijing would not be allowed to ‘weaponise’ the waterway by using Chinese firms’ commercial relationships for espionage.

9 Apr 2025 - 3:38PM

A protester in Panama City waves a Panamanian flag during a demonstration against the visit of US Defence Pete Hegseth on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison did not uphold Panama Canal ports contract: audit

Comptroller office said it will sue over renewal of 25-year concession and that officials must explain ‘why there was so much magnanimity’ in the deal.

8 Apr 2025 - 8:54AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | CK Hutchison’s control of Panama ports ‘undermines’ sovereignty, lawyers say

‘Even if BlackRock finalises the purchase, our action continues,’ say Norman Castro and Julio Macias, who are challenging concession.

5 Apr 2025 - 11:45PMvideocam

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