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5 Mar, 11:12

Information about China controlling Panama Canal false — MFA

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian stressed that China "supports Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal and is committed to maintaining the status of the canal as a neutral international water route"

BEIJING, March 5. /TASS/. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian has said at a briefing that the information that China holds complete control over the Panama Canal is false.

"The information on the so-called full control of China over the Panama Canal is absolutely false," the diplomat noted.

He also added that China "supports Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal and is committed to maintaining the status of the canal as a neutral international water route."

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated without proof that China controls the canal and stressed the desire of the US to take it back under its control. On January 20, he said in his inaugural address that he was set on "taking it back." He also said earlier that the transfer of control over the transport link in 1999 was a gesture of cooperation, but not a concession to other countries.