Demolition of the monument commemorating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Chinese people in Panama on December 27, 2025 local time. Photo: screenshot of video uploaded by Chinese Ambassador to Panama Xu Xueyuan

PRC Embassy Protests Demolition of “Panama-China Friendship Park”!

This monument declaring “China-Panama Friendship” is situated on a mountain over-looking the Panama Canal (in fact, from what I have read regarding travelogues, this mountain it is quite remote and difficult to access) – and Trump believes this symbolises a Chinese declaration of “control” of the Canal. The Park was built in 2004 by funds raised by various overseas Chinese organisations – with support from the Mainland Chinese government (which provided two stone lions). Chinese people first arrived in Panama in 1854 (during the Qing Dynasty – probably fleeing the highly destructive Taiping Uprising and the Hakka-Punti Clan Wars). Indeed, this park is officially termed the “150th Anniversary Monument to the Arrival of Chinese in Panama” (1854-2004). Ironically, Panama declared (also in 2004) that “March 30th” would be “Chinese People Day” (华人日 – Hua Ren Ri). The way things are going, I suspect “Chinese People Day” will soon be abolished. I have been agitating for years that China should stop using US English in its translations – the language of the enemy.

The US CNN News Channel & ‘Collective Silence’

Cafferty sparked this issue on April 10th – which has caused consternation throughout China and Chinese people living abroad, and despite the demand for a retraction and apology by CNN from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, CNN has refused to acknowledge the extent of their insult against China, although some other Western media outlets have assured Beijing that CNN does not speak on behalf of all Western countries. China has clearly and carefully presented this case to CNN – but CNN has made matters worse by supporting Cafferty and applying a blanket silence.