China opposes ‘bullying’ of Egypt after Trump demands Suez Canal be free for US ships
China condemned US President Trump’s call for American vessels to pass through the Suez and Panama Canals without paying fees, asserting its support for Egypt's sovereignty over the strategic waterways. Beijing rejected any form of "bullying" and affirmed Egypt's rights to manage the Suez Canal.
China on Wednesday opposed "bullying" of Egypt after US President Donald Trump demanded American vessels' free-of-charge passage through the Suez Canal and Panama Canal.
Beijing "firmly supports the Egyptian government and people in safeguarding their sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, and opposes any acts or words of bullying," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, according to the state-media Global Times.
"Egypt's sovereignty over and management and operation rights of the Suez Canal are indisputable," said Lin.
US President Donald Trump last month said that American vessels should travel through the Panama and Suez canals without paying fees, claiming that these strategic passages owe their existence to the US and had directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation!"
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through Panama, while the Suez Canal in Egypt links the Mediterranean and Red seas, providing the shortest maritime route between Europe and the Indian and Western Pacific oceans.
Both canals charge substantial transit fees, potentially reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on vessel size and cargo.
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