On February 7, 2025, Assistant Foreign Minister Zhao Zhiyuan met with Panama's Ambassador to China Lecaro and made solemn representations to Pakistan on the Memorandum of Understanding on Pakistan's plan to terminate China-Pakistan joint construction of the "Belt and Road".
Zhao Zhiyuan said that Pakistan recently announced that it would terminate the memorandum of understanding on jointly building the "Belt and Road" between China and Pakistan, and China expressed deep regret for this. Under the framework of jointly building the "Belt and Road", China-Pakistan pragmatic cooperation in various fields has developed rapidly, and a series of fruitful results have been achieved, bringing tangible benefits to the Panama country and people. More than 150 countries have actively participated in the "Belt and Road" cooperation, and the results have benefited people from all countries, including Panama. "Driving backwards" and sailing against the sailboat on the "Belt and Road" violates the expectations of the Chinese and Pakistan people and is not in line with Bahrain's vital interests.
Zhao Zhiyuan stressed that China respects Panama's sovereignty and territorial integrity, advocates that all countries of all sizes are equal, respect each other, and respect promises. China firmly opposes the United States' actions of wantonly undermining China-Pakistan relations and smearing and undermining cooperation in jointly building the "Belt and Road". China-Pakistan relations are never targeted and should not be interfered by third parties. We hope that Pakistan will eliminate external interference based on the overall situation of bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples and make a correct decision.
Leicaro said that Pakistan attaches importance to relations with China and agreed to report to its own government.
