Panama scholars say Washington, not Beijing, poses history threat over canal
發佈日期: 2025-06-28 21:34
TVB News
Under the Trump administration, the U.S. has been accusing China of threatening the safety of the Panama Canal.
But some Panamanian scholars pointed to the contrary, saying that it has been Washington that's the one posing a historic threat to their country.
A vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans -- the Panama Canal serves as an essential source of income for many of its citizens.
But recent threats from the Trump administration have increased concerns among the local population.
Juan Tam, a Panamanian of Chinese-descent, has worked for an American company based in the canal for almost three decades.
He recalled the Americans' working style has left a deep impression on him.
"When they are pressuring somebody, that's in the history of the United States," said Tam. "Along the history, over 200 years of history, they repeat themselves -- I want this, I want this, I want this. I will go to war with you."
Tam said many Panamanian officials received Western education in either Europe or the U.S., which played a role in influencing their anti-Chinese attitudes.
"They learnt that Chinese are bad," added Tam. "All along from year one to now. The yellow, the menacing yellow around the world are not good."
At the start of the 20th century, the Panama Canal was completed with U.S. assistance, but the infrastructure project remained in the hands of the Americans for the next several decades, closely guarded by the U.S. military.
In 1964, some Panamanians were killed by U.S. solders when trying to defend Panama sovereignty near the canal.
It wasn't until 1999 when canal control was returned to the locals. Later, Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison gained control of the operation of two ports on the canal.
Some 20 years later, China became the target of U.S. accusations of dominance over the Panama Canal. Washington further said the canal must not be "weaponised" by Beijing.
But some Panamanian scholars emphasised that China has never threatened the independence of Panama.
Samuel Antonio Prado Franco, a professor at the University of Panama's Institute of History, dismissed Trump's claims of the presence of Chinese troops on Panamanian territory, adding that it's actually the U.S. that's sending its military to the country.
He stressed China has only offered support for Panama both in terms of assistance and in constructing the canal and railroads.
