China’s ambassador to Panama accused the United States of stirring a “tropical storm” diplomatically and intimidating the Central American country on Monday, following its announcement it would end a high-profile development agreement with Beijing.
Advertisement
Ambassador Xu Xueyuan’s criticism came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the country and urged Panamanian officials to distance themselves from China.
Published by Panamanian newspaper La Estrella and titled “United States, please learn to respect”, Xu’s editorial called the American delegation’s visit a “tropical storm” that disrupted Panama’s sovereignty.
She accused it of coercive diplomacy and questioned why Rubio reacted with “such fury” to Panama’s relations with Beijing.
Xu highlighted the extensive trade and investment between Washington and Beijing, accusing the Americans of hypocrisy for opposing similar Chinese activities in Panama.
Advertisement