China has summoned the Panamanian ambassador to complain about the country’s decision to pull out of the Belt and Road Initiative.
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Assistant foreign minister Zhao Zhiyuan said on Friday that Beijing “deeply” regretted the decision, according to the foreign ministry.
The meeting came a day after Panama confirmed its decision to withdraw from the massive infrastructure and investment project amid mounting pressure from the United States over its ties with Beijing.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said he had given the required 90-day notice of withdrawal, asking: “What are the great things that this Belt and Road Initiative has brought to the country?”
The decision came just days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Mulino and expressed concern about China’s influence over the Panama Canal.
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He warned that the US would take “measures necessary” if it did not take immediate steps to end what Washington saw as China’s influence and control over the canal.