China on Monday called claims that it controls the Panama Canal "completely false" and avoided commenting on the recent sale of two ports on the waterway by a Hong Kong group.
"China supports Panama's sovereignty over the canal's operations and is committed to maintaining it as a permanently neutral international waterway," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing.
The spokesman said the idea that China has full control over the canal is "completely false."
Asked about the sale of the ports of Balboa and Cristobal by Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison to a consortium led by US-based BlackRock, Lin declined to comment and noted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government had already spoken out on the matter.
"China does not comment on business transactions. We support and promote overseas investment and development and believe that all parties should provide a fair and impartial environment for the companies involved," he added.
The sale of the Panamanian ports, operated since 1997 by the Panama Ports Company (PPC), comes after months of pressure from US President Donald Trump, who insisted on "recovering" the waterway due to alleged Chinese influence, something that both the Panamanian government and the Canal administration rejected.
The deal, valued at $22.8 billion (€21.63 billion), also includes the transfer of CK Hutchison's stake in 43 other ports in 23 countries, although it excludes terminals in China and Hong Kong.
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