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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

Chinese underwater drones featured at a military parade in Beijing in September, but the new models may be twice their size. Photo: Handout

China's military weapons

Is China testing drone subs that could threaten US west coast or Panama Canal?

Evidence points to the development of XXL vessels that provide a ‘low-risk’ option for attacking key sites, according to a US defence website.

13 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

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

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

Application to support research and development draws on data covering ‘the most comprehensive range of port business scenarios’, NDRC says.

3 Dec 2025 - 7:13PMvideocam

China was home to six of the world’s top 10 container ports by volume last year, including Ningbo-Zhoushan in the eastern province of Zhejiang. Photo: AFP

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

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

The advisory panel to the US Congress has recommended passing a law that would only allow Hong Kong to keep its official status as a US dollar trading hub if it followed all American sanctions. Photo: Felix Wong

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

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

The Panama Canal Authority has met key industry players ahead of tendering its US$2.6 billion plan to build two new port terminals. Photo: AFP

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

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

Chancay Port in Peru is expected to become a hub of global trade. Photo: Xinhua

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

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

Hong Kong war veteran Lo King-fai, 94, was honoured at the Victory Day military parade in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

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

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

“The Thinker’s Burden” by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is seen in front of the United Nations Offices in Geneva on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

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

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

The Tsz Shan Monastery in Tai Po. Photo: Edmond So

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

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

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Panama

Is China testing drone subs that could threaten US west coast or Panama Canal?

Evidence points to the development of XXL vessels that provide a ‘low-risk’ option for attacking key sites, according to a US defence website.

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

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

Application to support research and development draws on data covering ‘the most comprehensive range of port business scenarios’, NDRC says.

.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.

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