On Friday, the Chinese government voiced its opposition to what it described as U.S. efforts to undermine Belt and Road cooperation through coercion. It also expressed regret over Panama’s decision not to renew its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China regarding the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made these statements during a routine virtual news briefing in Beijing. His comments came in response to an announcement by Panama’s President, José Mulino, who reportedly ordered a 90-day notice for withdrawing from the BRI cooperation agreement with China.
Lin emphasized, “China strongly opposes U.S. attempts to smear and sabotage Belt and Road cooperation through pressure and coercion, and we deeply regret Panama’s decision not to renew the MoU.” He added that the BRI is an economic initiative involving over 150 countries, including more than 20 in Latin America and the Caribbean, which has brought tangible benefits to people in various countries, including Panama.
He also pointed out the success of recent China-Panama cooperation under the BRI, which has yielded significant positive outcomes for both nations. Lin expressed hope that Panama would consider the long-term interests of both countries, avoid external interference, and make the right decision moving forward.
Addressing the timing of Panama's decision, which came before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit, Lin noted that China had already responded. He reiterated that since establishing diplomatic relations, China and Panama had seen rapid growth in bilateral ties, with fruitful results from their BRI collaboration.
On the topic of global AI regulation, Lin announced that Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing would attend the upcoming AI Action Summit on global governance in France from February 9 to 12. Zhang, a member of the CPC Central Committee’s Political Bureau and Vice Premier of the State Council, is attending the summit at the invitation of the French government.
Lin explained that China is a proactive advocate for global AI governance, highlighting President Xi Jinping’s October 2023 Global Initiative for AI Governance as a key contribution to the global conversation.
He also referenced the joint declaration on AI and global governance between China and France, made during Xi’s May 2023 visit to France, which expressed China’s willingness to participate in the AI Action Summit.
Zhang’s participation in the summit as Xi’s special representative is seen as an important step in carrying out the mutual understanding between the two presidents. It demonstrates China’s commitment to responsible AI development and security. Lin added that through the summit, China hopes to foster communication, build consensus for cooperation, and advance the implementation of the U.N. Global Digital Compact.
China also invites countries worldwide to participate in the 2025 World AI Conference in China, aiming to shape a global AI governance framework built on broad consensus and promoting AI for the benefit of all.
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