The demolition of the Chinese monument at the Mirador del Puente de Las Américas, a scenic overlook near Panama’s iconic Bridge of the Americas, has ignited a diplomatic firestorm. The monument, an Eastern-style arch and obelisk, stood as a tribute to the significant contributions of Chinese immigrants to Panama’s history, particularly their labour in building the Panama Canal and the Twin Ocean Railway in the 19th century. Offering stunning views of the canal and bridge, the site held cultural resonance for Panama’s Chinese community, established for generations. Arraiján Mayor Stefany Peñalba justified the demolition, announced on December 28, 2025, via a social media post, as a “preventive and technical” decision to enhance the site for tourism. “We assume responsibility for the actions taken at the Mirador del Puente de Las Américas… This was an autonomous decision that does not intend to offend or negate the cultural legacy of the Chinese community in Panama,” she stated, promising a renovated park. However, the nighttime demolition has been widely criticised, with the Chinese community alleging they were denied a chance to repair or relocate it. The decision has drawn sharp rebukes from Beijing. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the act, stating, “China deplores the forced demolition by relevant local authorities in Panama, and has protested… The monument stood as a witness and memorial to the time-honoured friendship between China and Panama, and to the tremendous contribution of Chinese workers who travelled across the oceans… some even paying the ultimate price during the construction.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-khaleda-zia-s-death-taslima-nasreen-asks-will-my-exile-end-seikh-hasina-freedom-of-expression-in-bangladesh-lajja-khaleda-zia-1767112351500">After Khaleda Zia’s death, Taslima Nasreen asks: ‘Will my exile end?’</a>&nbsp;The move impacts the Panama-China relations, with political undertones as US President Trump tries to stake a claim to the Panama Canal. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has reacted to the development in a strong way. In a Facebook post, he said, "There is no justification whatsoever for the barbarity committed by the mayor of Arraiján in demolishing the monument to the Chinese Community built on the Bridge of the Americas". He pointed out that the Chinese community is "traditional in our country, with generations established here, and deserves all our respect. An investigation should be launched immediately. Such an irrational act is unforgivable." The controversy coincides with former US President Donald Trump’s recent claims that the canal treaties are a “bad part” of the Carter legacy, reflecting US anxieties about Chinese influence.

Arraiján Mayor Stefany Peñalba justified the demolition, announced on December 28, 2025, via a social media post, as a “preventive and technical” decision to enhance the site for tourism. 

The demolition of the Chinese monument at the Mirador del Puente de Las Américas, a scenic overlook near Panama’s iconic Bridge of the Americas, has ignited a diplomatic firestorm. The monument, an Eastern-style arch and obelisk, stood as a tribute to the significant contributions of Chinese immigrants to Panama’s history, particularly their labour in building the Panama Canal and the Twin Ocean Railway in the 19th century. Offering stunning views of the canal and bridge, the site held cultural resonance for Panama’s Chinese community, established for generations. Arraiján Mayor Stefany Peñalba justified the demolition, announced on December 28, 2025, via a social media post, as a “preventive and technical” decision to enhance the site for tourism. “We assume responsibility for the actions taken at the Mirador del Puente de Las Américas… This was an autonomous decision that does not intend to offend or negate the cultural legacy of the Chinese community in Panama,” she stated, promising a renovated park. However, the nighttime demolition has been widely criticised, with the Chinese community alleging they were denied a chance to repair or relocate it. The decision has drawn sharp rebukes from Beijing. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the act, stating, “China deplores the forced demolition by relevant local authorities in Panama, and has protested… The monument stood as a witness and memorial to the time-honoured friendship between China and Panama, and to the tremendous contribution of Chinese workers who travelled across the oceans… some even paying the ultimate price during the construction.” Also Read: After Khaleda Zia’s death, Taslima Nasreen asks: ‘Will my exile end?’ The move impacts the Panama-China relations, with political undertones as US President Trump tries to stake a claim to the Panama Canal. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has reacted to the development in a strong way. In a Facebook post, he said, "There is no justification whatsoever for the barbarity committed by the mayor of Arraiján in demolishing the monument to the Chinese Community built on the Bridge of the Americas". He pointed out that the Chinese community is "traditional in our country, with generations established here, and deserves all our respect. An investigation should be launched immediately. Such an irrational act is unforgivable." The controversy coincides with former US President Donald Trump’s recent claims that the canal treaties are a “bad part” of the Carter legacy, reflecting US anxieties about Chinese influence.

Arraiján Mayor Stefany Peñalba justified the demolition, announced on December 28, 2025, via a social media post, as a “preventive and technical” decision to enhance the site for tourism.&nbsp;

Demolition of Chinese monument in Panama sparks Beijing anger

China on Thursday (December 25) accused the United States of misrepresenting Beijing’s defence stance, saying Washington was attempting to interfere in improving ties between China and India. Responding to a question at a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed suggestions that Beijing could use the recent easing of border tensions with India to block closer India–US relations. Lin said China approaches its relationship with India from a long-term strategic standpoint and stressed that the boundary dispute is a bilateral matter. “We oppose any third party making judgments on this issue,” he added.&nbsp;The statement came after the Pentagon, in a report released earlier this week, claimed that China may try to leverage reduced tensions along the disputed border to stabilise relations with India and prevent a further strengthening of India–US ties. The US Department of Defense’s annual report to Congress, titled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China and released on December 23, described India–China relations as fragile despite recent diplomatic engagement. The report said Beijing “probably seeks to capitalise on decreased tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)” to manage ties with New Delhi, while noting that India remains wary of China’s intentions due to long-standing mistrust.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh-home-ministry-official-resigns-tariq-rahman-returns-amid-pressure-on-yunus-what-s-latest-from-bangladesh-1766652351022">Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tarique Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh</a> The report referred to an important development in October 2024, when India and China agreed to disengage from several standoff points along the LAC. This understanding was announced shortly before President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan.&nbsp;According to the Pentagon, the Xi–Modi interaction triggered a phase of regular high-level dialogue, including talks on border management, resumption of direct flights, visa facilitation, and exchanges involving scholars and journalists. However, the report cautioned that major irritants continue to constrain the relationship, pointing out that China considers Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and Arunachal Pradesh as “core interests” linked to sovereignty.&nbsp;The assessment also highlighted China’s expanding military cooperation with Pakistan. Beijing has supplied Islamabad with advanced military hardware over the past decade, including naval frigates and combat aircraft. China currently offers three fighter jets for export, the fifth-generation FC-31, the fourth-generation J-10C multirole fighter, and the jointly developed JF-17 lightweight fighter produced with Pakistan.

China slams US report suggesting border easing aimed at India-US ties

China on Thursday (December 25) accused the United States of misrepresenting Beijing’s defence stance, saying Washington was attempting to interfere in improving ties between China and India. Responding to a question at a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed suggestions that Beijing could use the recent easing of border tensions with India to block closer India–US relations. Lin said China approaches its relationship with India from a long-term strategic standpoint and stressed that the boundary dispute is a bilateral matter. “We oppose any third party making judgments on this issue,” he added. The statement came after the Pentagon, in a report released earlier this week, claimed that China may try to leverage reduced tensions along the disputed border to stabilise relations with India and prevent a further strengthening of India–US ties. The US Department of Defense’s annual report to Congress, titled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China and released on December 23, described India–China relations as fragile despite recent diplomatic engagement. The report said Beijing “probably seeks to capitalise on decreased tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)” to manage ties with New Delhi, while noting that India remains wary of China’s intentions due to long-standing mistrust. Also Read: Bangladesh Home ministry official resigns, Tarique Rahman returns amid pressure on Yunus — What's latest from Bangladesh The report referred to an important development in October 2024, when India and China agreed to disengage from several standoff points along the LAC. This understanding was announced shortly before President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan. According to the Pentagon, the Xi–Modi interaction triggered a phase of regular high-level dialogue, including talks on border management, resumption of direct flights, visa facilitation, and exchanges involving scholars and journalists. However, the report cautioned that major irritants continue to constrain the relationship, pointing out that China considers Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and Arunachal Pradesh as “core interests” linked to sovereignty. The assessment also highlighted China’s expanding military cooperation with Pakistan. Beijing has supplied Islamabad with advanced military hardware over the past decade, including naval frigates and combat aircraft. China currently offers three fighter jets for export, the fifth-generation FC-31, the fourth-generation J-10C multirole fighter, and the jointly developed JF-17 lightweight fighter produced with Pakistan.

China has accused the US of misreading its defence policy, rejecting claims it seeks to use border calm with India to curb growing India-US ties

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Demolition of Chinese monument in Panama sparks Beijing anger

China slams US report suggesting border easing aimed at India-US ties