Heated UN Security Council exchange over maritime security as US, China trade barbs

China's ambassador counters sharply, accusing US of repeatedly making 'unwarranted accusations' and smearing Beijing

HAMILTON, Canada

The US and China engaged in a tense verbal exchange Monday during a UN Security Council session on maritime security, trading accusations over influence, sovereignty, and global trade risks.

Dorothy Shea, US charge d'affaires to the UN, emphasized the Panama Canal's critical role as "one of the world's great instruments of commerce and economic security," citing its construction by Washington and close bilateral partnership with the Central American nation on maritime security.

Shea praised Panama's "increasing vigilance in responding to malicious maritime cyber activities" but voiced deep concern about "China's outsized influence over the Panama Canal area, especially over critical infrastructure and port operations."

She argued that "China's expansive and unlawful maritime claims and aggressive actions demonstrate its threat to maritime security and commerce," and that this influence "is not just a risk to Panama and the US, but rather a potential threat to global trade and security."

She also called on the council to "impose meaningful consequences for sanctions violations" and called for greater burden-sharing in defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.

China's Ambassador Fu Cong countered sharply, accusing the US of repeatedly making "unwarranted accusations" and smearing Beijing.

Fu stressed that "China has always respected Panama's sovereignty of the canal and recognizes the permanent neutrality of the canal as an international waterway." He accused the US of "fabrication of lies and groundless attacks" as pretexts for control.

The Chinese envoy then accused the US of being "the biggest disruptor of peace and stability in the South China Sea," citing its deployment of offensive weaponry, military exercises, and "hegemonic, cold war mentality."

He further criticized the US for refusing to accede to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and "unilaterally deciding to exploit International Seabed resources," warning that Washington's actions "gravely exacerbate risks to global maritime security."

After Fu's remarks, the Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino reiterated his country's commitment to the canal's neutrality and multilateral treaty oversight.