Beijing’s position: Demolishing a Chinese monument at the entrance to the Panama Canal

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Beijing’s position: Demolishing a Chinese monument at the entrance to the Panama Canal

Demolish A Chinese monument located at the entrance to The Panama Canal was ordered by a local mayor, at a time when The United States sought to reduce the Chinese presence in this strategic waterway.
The municipality of Arayakhan, located at the eastern entrance to the canal, ordered the demolition of a traditional Chinese gate built on the Bridge of the Americas, a huge metal structure that extends over the waterway.
According to a statement issued by the municipality, the Chinese monument built in 2004, which symbolizes friendship between the two countries, was exposed to structural damage that poses a danger.
But Panama President Jose Raul Molyneux commented on the incident on Sunday, saying: "A barbaric and unjustified act" and"An irrational and unforgivable act"

China demands an immediate investigation.

After witnessing the demolition of the memorial, the Chinese Ambassador to Panama, Xu Xiuyuan, expressed her regret, saying that "Black day" For 300 thousand Chinese-Panamanians.
She expressed "Her intense sadness over friendship" between the two countries, confirming that "History will remember that"
Molyneaux requested an immediate investigation into the destruction of the monument, which also includes statues of two lions and an obelisk, the latter still standing.

Trump’s threats to regain control

In recent months, US President Donald Trump has threatened to regain control of The Panama Canal is of great strategic importance, stressing that it is under Beijing’s control, because Hutchison Holdings, which is based in Hong Kong, operates two ports in the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean under a concession.
The United States and China are the main users of the 80-kilometre-long canal, through which 5% of global maritime trade passes.
The canal was under American administration between 1914 and 1999 until it was transferred to Panama’s administration.