Tue Dec 30 07:01:12 UTC 2025: Summary:
A monument honoring Chinese contributions to Panama, erected in 2004, was demolished by local authorities in Arraijan, Panama, citing safety concerns and an expired land concession. China condemned the demolition, calling it a deliberate act that damaged the friendly sentiment between the Chinese and Panamanian people. Panama’s President Mulino echoed the condemnation, blamed local authorities, pledged to rebuild the monument, and called for an investigation. The demolition comes amid increasing pressure from the Trump administration for Panama to distance itself from Beijing. The Chinese Embassy in Panama and members of the Chinese community expressed outrage over the incident.
News Article:
Panama Monument Honoring Chinese Labor Demolished, Sparking International Outcry
PANAMA CITY – A monument commemorating Chinese contributions to Panama’s infrastructure and history was demolished by local authorities in Arraijan on Monday, sparking condemnation from both China and Panama’s President. The monument, erected in 2004, honored the Chinese community’s 150-year presence in Panama and their contributions to building the country’s railroads and the Panama Canal.
Videos circulating on social media showed excavators tearing down the structure, leaving only rubble and two broken stone lions. The Arraijan mayorship claimed the demolition was due to structural safety concerns and an expired land concession, dismissing accusations of political motivation.
China’s embassy in Panama denounced the demolition as a “brazen” act that “seriously damaged” the friendly relations between the two nations. Ambassador Xu Xueyuan questioned the rationale behind the monument’s destruction.
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino echoed the condemnation, calling the demolition a “barbarity” and promising to rebuild the monument. He also announced an immediate investigation into the incident. “This is a traditional community in our country spanning back generations,” Mulino stated. “They deserve all our respect. Such an act of irrationality is unforgivable.”
The incident comes amid increasing pressure from the Trump administration on Latin American nations to reduce economic ties with China. Trump has repeatedly claimed that China exerts undue control over the Panama Canal, assertions that Panama’s government has denied.
The demolition has angered both Chinese and Panamanian communities. Protests have been staged at the site, and some businesses have announced closures in protest. Local tour guide Jaime Bustos expressed his shock, highlighting the Chinese community’s significant contributions to Panama’s economy and infrastructure.
First Piper 