讀後心得

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma discussed the review of the concession rights of Cheung Kong Holdings at the Panama Canal port with Panamanian Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes. Although the canal is operated by Panama, the port is managed by Cheung Kong Holdings. The company, controlled by the Li Ka-Shing family, recently planned to sell 80% of its assets to BlackRock, which has sparked controversy. China's market regulatory agency stated that it will review this transaction in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin will attend a Central America security conference, emphasizing cooperation with Panama and other countries. Trump has previously expressed a desire to "take back" the canal but has not disclosed specific plans. The canal is considered a strategically important location.

According to the dialogue briefing from the U.S. Department of State, Deputy Secretary of State Rosemary DiCarlo discussed the importance of the ongoing review of the Hong Kong-based Cheung Kong Holdings’ management of the Panama Canal's port concessions at both ends with Panamanian Foreign Minister Erika Mouynes today. While the canal is operated by Panama, the ports at both ends are operated by the Hong Kong-listed company Cheung Kong Holdings, and other nearby ports are operated by private companies from the U.S., Singapore, and Taiwan.

Cheung Kong Holdings Limited is a company controlled by the Li Ka-shing family, which announced a preliminary agreement with a consortium led by the U.S. BlackRock Group in early March to sell 80% of its assets in Hutchison Ports Group. These assets include 43 ports and supporting logistics networks overseas, spread across 23 countries, covering the ports at both ends of the Panama Canal. However, this decision has sparked criticism from the Hong Kong media.

The State Administration for Market Regulation of China has stated that it is aware that Cheung Kong Holdings will sign the port transaction agreement with the U.S. BlackRock and will review it in accordance with the law. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is scheduled to visit Panama early next week to attend the annual Central American Security Conference, where he is expected to engage in bilateral talks to strengthen cooperation with Panama and other Central American countries for peace and security in the Western Hemisphere.

The U.S. President has expressed a desire to "reclaim" the Panama Canal, but has not outlined a specific plan, nor has he clearly indicated whether military action is needed. The Panama Canal is considered one of the most strategically significant waterways in the world.