ISTANBUL

China urged Panama on Wednesday to “resist external interruption” on Belt and Road cooperation amid threats by US President Donald Trump to take control of the critical Panama Canal.

“We hope the relevant party will strengthen confidence, resist external interruption, and make the right decision while keeping in mind the overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the people of the two countries,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in response to a question by Anadolu.

Lin said Beijing “firmly opposes and has lodged protests against the US,” while calling comments by Washington “intentionally distorted, attacked and mischaracterized relevant cooperation," according to a transcript of a news conference released by the ministry.

After meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said his government would not renew a 2017 pact under the Belt and Road initiative with China, under which Beijing has expanded investments in Panama.

Mulino said his government would evaluate terminating the agreement early.

Beijing said currently, the initiative is going as "normal."

Panama’s decision came after Trump said Panama violated its agreement with the US on the canal and declared the US would take back control of the canal, citing Chinese influence on the canal.

China said it has never interfered in the Panama Canal after the US threats, stating that Beijing has “not been involved in the management or operation of the Panama Canal.”​​​​​​​