China Responds to Panama's Withdrew from Belt & Road Initiative

On Friday, China said it "regrets" Panama's decision to withdraw from the Belt and Road initiative.

The Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said: "Beijing regrets Panama's decision."

China also urged Panama to "consider the broader bilateral relationship and the long-term interests of both nations" and "resist external interference".

China also "firmly opposes the US using pressure and coercion to smear and undermine Belt and Road cooperation".

On the benefits of the project, Lin asserted that the Belt and Road Initiative brought "active participation" from over 150 countries and brought "fruitful results."

"We hope Panama will bear in mind the general picture of bilateral relationship and the long-term interests of both peoples, resist external interference, and make the right decision," Lin stated.

On Thursday, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino confirmed that Panama withdrew from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure program.