Chinese monument near Panama Canal torn downAFP, PANAMA CITYNear the entrance to the Panama Canal, a monument to China’s contributions to the interoceanic waterway was torn down on Saturday night by order of local authorities. In a surprising move that has been criticized by leaders in Panama and China, the mayor’s office of the locality of Arraijan ordered the demolition of the monument built in 2004 to symbolize friendship between the countries. People pose for a photograph near the original site of a removed Chinese monument in Panama City on Sunday. The US and China are the main users of the 80km canal, which sees the passage of 5 percent of global maritime trade. The Panama Canal was under US control from 1914 to 1999, when it was taken over by Panama.

Source: Taipei Times December 29, 2025 16:47 UTC