The Chinese government on Friday opposed the U.S. alleged sabotage of Belt and Road cooperation through means of force.

It also expressed regret over Panama’s decision not to renew the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian disclosed this at the regular virtual news conference by the ministry in Beijing, China.

He spoke against the backdrop of a recent announcement by Panama’s President José Mulino, reportedly saying he instructed a 90-day notice for withdrawal from the Belt and Road cooperation agreement with China to be submitted to Beijing.

Mr Lin said, “China firmly opposes the U.S. smear and sabotage of Belt and Road cooperation through the means of pressuring and coercion and deeply regrets Panama’s decision to not renew the MoU on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“The BRI is an economic cooperation initiative with the participation of more than 150 countries, including over 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries, and its outcomes have benefitted people of many countries, including Panama.

“In recent years, China and Panama’s cooperation under the BRI has produced fruitful outcomes and continued to deliver tangibly for the two peoples.

“We hope that Panama will bear in mind the overall bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples, steer clear of external interference, and make the right decision.”

He explained the Panama president’s decision to exit the Belt and Road agreement with Beijing before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit, saying China had made a response.

According to him, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Panama, the two countries have seen comprehensive and rapid growth of bilateral relations.

He also said that both parties have achieved fruitful outcomes in the cooperation under the framework of the BRI, which delivered tangibly for the two peoples.

Fielding questions on China’s commitment to achieving global regulation of artificial intelligence (AI), he disclosed that Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing would attend the AI Action Summit global governance scheduled to be held in France.

Mr Zhang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, would travel to France at the invitation of the host country from February 9 to 12 to attend the summit.

“China is an active advocate and practitioner of AI global governance. In October 2023, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Initiative for AI governance, which proposed China’s solution and contributed China’s wisdom on this profound topic of our times.

“During Xi’s visit to France in May last year, China and France released a joint declaration on AI and global governance, which stated that China is willing to participate in the AI Action Summit to be held by France in 2025.

“Zhang attending the summit as Xi’s special representative is a step to implement the common understandings between the two presidents and demonstrate China’s responsible attitude as a major country in the field of AI and its commitment to advancing the development and security of AI.

“Through this summit, China looks forward to enhancing communication and exchanges with all sides, pooling consensus for cooperation, and actively advancing the implementation of the U.N. Global Digital Compact.

“We also welcome countries around the world to participate in the 2025 World AI Conference in China, shape an AI global governance framework based on broad consensus, and promote AI for good and for all,” he stated.

(NAN)