ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday opposed "bullying" of Egypt after US President Donald Trump demanded American vessels' free-of-charge passage through the Suez Canal and Panama Canal.

Beijing "firmly supports the Egyptian government and people in safeguarding their sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, and opposes any acts or words of bullying," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, according to the state-media Global Times.

"Egypt's sovereignty over and management and operation rights of the Suez Canal are indisputable," said Lin.

US President Donald Trump last month said that American vessels should travel through the Panama and Suez canals without paying fees, claiming that these strategic passages owe their existence to the US and had directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation!"

The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through Panama, while the Suez Canal in Egypt links the Mediterranean and Red seas, providing the shortest maritime route between Europe and the Indian and Western Pacific oceans.

Both canals charge substantial transit fees, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on vessel size and cargo.