China's Foreign Minister urged that third countries should not interfere in bilateral ties as discussions with Panama regarding port cooperation continue. Beijing emphasizes that its relationship with Panama is not directed against any other nation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday said Beijing was ready to deepen cooperation with Panama City and that third countries should not influence their bilateral ties. “China has always maintained that China-Panama relations are not directed against any third party and should not be interfered with by any third party,” Wang said, according to a foreign ministry read-out on Wednesday. Wang made the remarks while meeting with Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha on the sidelines....