In a new escalation of the dispute over Panama's seizure of ports operated by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, Beijing has summoned representatives from shipping giants Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to discuss their operations. The Chinese foreign ministry's brief statement on Tuesday provided no specific details but signals potential warnings to foreign firms involved.
The Chinese foreign ministry issued a one-sentence statement on its website Tuesday, summoning representatives from Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to address "shipping operations" related to the Panama ports dispute, without elaborating further. In China, such summons typically serve as formal warnings, with non-compliance risking escalated measures.
This development follows Panama's takeover of the Balboa and Cristobal ports—key facilities at either end of the Panama Canal—from CK Hutchison's subsidiary, Panama Ports Company (PPC). As previously reported, Panama's Supreme Court ruled the concession unconstitutional, prompting PPC to file for international arbitration seeking at least US$2 billion in damages and condemning the actions as illegal.
Beijing has vowed to resolutely protect the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises like CK Hutchison. Maersk and MSC, major users of the ports, appear central to the matter, though exact links remain unspecified in the statement.
