Archive · 29 Dec 2025
China-Panama Friendship Monument Demolished in Panama Canal
A monument that was built to show the friendship between China and Panama was taken down by local authorities in Panama.
The authorities said it was because the monument was damaged and could be dangerous.
But the president of Panama and the Chinese ambassador said they didn't agree with this and were upset about it.
The monument was near the Panama Canal, which is a very important waterway for ships.
The US and China are the biggest users of the canal.
The US president has been saying that China has too much influence over the canal and wants better conditions for US ships.
Some Chinese people in Panama were sad to see the monument taken down, and the Chinese embassy asked for a thorough investigation.
A monument symbolizing China-Panama friendship was demolished by local authorities in Arraijan, Panama.
The demolition was justified by local authorities as a safety measure due to structural damage.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino condemned the act as 'an unforgivable act of irrationality.'
China's ambassador to Panama, Xu Xueyuan, expressed that the demolition was a 'great pain for bilateral friendship.'
The US and China are the main users of the Panama Canal, which handles 5% of global maritime trade.
- Who
- Local authorities in Arraijan, Panama, with reactions from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and China's ambassador to Panama Xu Xueyuan
- What
- Demolition of a monument symbolizing China-Panama friendship near the Panama Canal
- When
- Saturday night
- Where
- Near the entrance to the Panama Canal, overlooking the Bridge of the Americas
- Why
- Local authorities cited structural damage posing a risk, but the move was criticized by leaders in Panama and China
- Monument Location
- Near the entrance to the Panama Canal, overlooking the Bridge of the Americas
- Monument Purpose
- Symbolized friendship between China and Panama
- Demolition Date
- Saturday night
- Reason for Demolition
- Structural damage posing a risk, according to local authorities
- Panamanian President's Response
- Called it an 'unforgivable act of irrationality'
- Chinese Ambassador's Response
- Described it as a 'great pain for bilateral friendship'
- US Involvement
- President Trump has threatened to retake control of the canal, claiming Beijing has too much influence
- Canal's Significance
- Handles 5% of global maritime trade, with the US and China as main users
