Earlier this week, Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on China addressed concerns about Chinese influence on the Panama Canal. In a letter to Luis Roquebert, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority, Moolenaar praised efforts to counteract the People's Republic of China's (PRC) influence.
"I am writing to applaud the work you, your Ministry, and your country have undertaken to reject undue influence from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). President Mulino has demonstrated his commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Panama relationship and has taken concrete steps to reverse efforts by the PRC to expand malign influence in Panama," Moolenaar stated.
The letter also raised concerns over CCP-directed entities potentially being involved in transactions with CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate managing port concessions. This involvement could pose a threat to both Panamanian and U.S. national security.
"The inclusion of COSCO—or any other Chinese company—in port operations or control along the canal would represent an unacceptable risk to the national security of both our nations," Moolenaar wrote.
He emphasized that keeping CCP influence out of the Panama Canal is crucial for regional security. "A Panama Canal free of malign CCP influence would benefit the security of Panama, the United States, and Latin America as a whole," he concluded.
Chairman Moolenaar highlighted that protecting the canal is vital for U.S. security interests.
