China Says U.S. Fabricated Claims of Panama-Flagged Ship Detentions

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning at the regular press briefing in Beijing on April 2, 2026. Image via the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

China accused the United States on Friday of fabricating claims that Beijing had detained Panama-flagged ships in a long-running dispute over control of the strategic Panama Canal.

Relations between the United States and China soured when Panamanian authorities in February took control of two ports previously operated by a Hong Kong-based conglomerate.

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by Agence France-Presse

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