Panama celebrates Lunar New Year as residents defend China ties amid US Canal remarks: Video
Panama City’s El Dorado Chinatown filled with colour, music and dance on Sunday as the Lunar New Year parade brought together performers, residents and tourists in a public display of cultural pride and community spirit.
Marchers in traditional dress played instruments and performed lion dances through the streets, interacting with crowds as celebrations unfolded. Alongside the festivities, some participants reflected on Panama’s longstanding ties with its Chinese community, describing them as deeply rooted in the country’s economic and social fabric. The comments come amid renewed geopolitical tension, after US President Donald Trump suggested that China was “operating” the Panama Canal and indicated that taking control of the waterway remained “on the table”, remarks that drew criticism from locals who stressed Panama’s sovereignty and warned against external pressure over its international relations.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
