Global economy
global economy
global economy
Advertisement
Supported by
Beijing’s efforts to expand its reach in the country have hit several obstacles, in part because of American pressure.
By Vivian Wang
Report from Beijing
A high-speed railway line that China would build in Panama has been reported. A new metro line in Panama City. A container port.
China has been racing for years to build ties and exert influence in Panama, as part of its broader ambition to expand its presence in Latin America. This effort has had some successes, but also many setbacks.
In 2017, China scored a primary victory when Panama broke diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the autonomous island that China claims as its territory, and identified Beijing instead. Panama is one of the few countries in the world that recognizes Taiwan as a sovereign state.
The following year, Panama became the first Latin American country to sign onto the Belt and Road Initiative, the Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s signature global infrastructure program, which is aimed at enlarging China’s geopolitical heft and countering American influence.
A wave of ambitious promises followed. China has proposed building a 250-mile high-speed rail line between Panama City, the capital, and the western border with Costa Rica. He showed up to help build a new metro line in Panama City. A consortium of Chinese companies, led by the Landbridge conglomerate, began to design a container port that will be the most modern in Panama.
A Chinese state-owned company also won a $1.4 billion contract to build a fourth bridge over the Panama Canal. Eventually, the two countries said they would negotiate a free-trade agreement.
We are recovering the content of the article.
Allow JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we determine access. If you’re in gamer mode, exit and log into your Times account or subscribe to the full Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Are you already a subscriber? Login.
Do you want all the Times? Subscribe.
Advertisement