Chinese authorities have “deeply regretted” Panama’s withdrawal this week from its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, popularly known as the New Silk Road, an international infrastructure project launched more than a decade ago.

The spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, said in a statement that the country “continues to firmly oppose the pressure and coercion exerted by the United States to undermine cooperation” in relation to the Chinese megaproject after the Panamanian authorities refused to renew the memorandum of understanding agreed between the parties in the face of growing pressure from Washington over the management of the Panama Canal.

“We deeply regret the news,” Lin said, accusing the United States of pursuing policies with a “Cold War” mentality.

“They are making false accusations against China in order to hinder relations between Beijing and Latin American countries,” he warned.

He has thus pointed to Washington as a “clear interference in the internal affairs” of China, whose “legitimate” interests it is “undermining.” “China supports Panamanian sovereignty over the Canal and is committed to maintaining this neutral status permanently in the maritime route,” he clarified, not without first emphasizing that Beijing’s intention “has never been to interfere in these matters.”

“The idea of ​​Chinese control over the Canal is a lie. Who is maintaining the neutrality and prosperity of the Canal and who is constantly threatening to take it back?” he said.