Panama Canal Port Control Shapes US Security According to an Expert

BEIJING Feb 4 of 2026: China warned Panama there would be “heavy prices” to pay after a court ruling there, annulled Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s contract to operate two ports at the Panama Canal.  China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office called the ruling by Panama’s Supreme Court “absurd,” “shameful and pathetic,” and vowed to defend the interests of Chinese firms.  Panamanian authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CK Hutchison Takes Panama to Arbitration after Court Voids Canal Port Rights

The move comes after Beijing called ruling self-sabotaging and warned Panama would pay heavy political and economic price.  Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison has launched arbitration proceedings to challenge a Panama court ruling that nullified its right to operate two ports at the country’s canal, hours after Beijing warned that the Central American nation would pay a heavy political and economic price. 

The conglomerate led by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s family (Li Ka-shing pictured above) on Wednesday said it strongly disagreed with the ruling by the country’s Supreme Court over the Panama Canal ports, which could take effect this month.  It said that its subsidiary, Panama Ports Company (PPC), had taken action against it.