mk Panama, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-12-24/8f84ded6-ee91-40dd-b2d7-ba69fae265b2.jpeg" />

A drone photo shows a cargo vessel sailing on the Panama Canal near Panama City, Panama, Aug. 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Commenting on the Panama Canal Authority's denial of the US State Department's claim that US government vessels could cross the canal without paying fees, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated at Thursday's press briefing that on the Panama Canal issue, China made clear its position more than once. China, as always, respects Panama's sovereignty over the Canal and recognizes it as a permanently neutral international waterway. 

"We respect the government of Panama's management and operation of the Canal. Never ever has China interfered," Guo said.

Panama denied a claim made by the State Department on Wednesday that the Central American nation had agreed to no longer charge fees for US government ships to transit the country's famous canal, CNN reported.

"In response to a publication released by the United States Department of State, the Panama Canal Authority, which is authorized to set tolls and other fees for transiting the Canal, reports that it has not made any adjustments to them," the authority said in a statement, adding that it stood ready to establish a dialogue with the US.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Thursday also denied the US State Department's claim that Panama had reached a deal allowing US warships to transit the canal for free, AP reported.

Mulino said he had told US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday that he could neither set the fees to transit the canal nor exempt anyone from them and that he was surprised by the US State Department's statement suggesting otherwise late Wednesday.

"I completely reject that statement yesterday," Mulino said during his weekly press conference, adding that he had asked Panama's ambassador in Washington to dispute the State Department's statement, AP reported.

Panama's statement directly contradicted the State Department's claim earlier in the evening. "US government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees, saving the US government millions of dollars a year," the State Department said in a statement posted on X alongside an image of a naval vessel entering the canal's locks, the report said.

Over the past 26 years the US has paid a total of $25.4 million dollars for the transit of warships and submarines, equivalent to less than one million dollars per year, according to a statement from Panama's embassy in Cuba, per CNN.

The statement came just days after Trump renewed his threat to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, warning of "powerful" US action in an escalating diplomatic dispute with the Central American country over alleged Chinese influence near the strategic waterway.

In response to Trump's allegation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Wednesday said the US has made irresponsible remarks on the Panama Canal issue, and intentionally distorted, attacked and mischaracterized relevant cooperation. China firmly opposes it and made stern démarches to the US side.

Cooperation between China and Panama under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative is carrying out normally and has achieved fruitful outcomes. Lin said China hopes relevant party will strengthen confidence, resist external interruption, and make the right decision while keeping in mind the overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the people of the two countries.

"The war of words between Panama and the US is unlikely to stop in the short term," said Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University. The White House wants to retake control of the Panama Canal, while the Panamanian side is currently only negotiating on matters such as toll fees. As Trump has not fully achieved his goals, more pressure could be exerted on Panama in the future, Li told the Global Times on Thursday. 

Trump's mentioning of so-called China influence is a forced excuse for the US to seize privileges and unjust benefits in Panama. "Such reasoning is far-fetched, unreasonable, and simply a display of willful obstruction," Li said.