Indo-Pacific — 2026-04-04
Rubio Accuses China of Bullying After 92 Panama-Flagged Ships Detained in Chinese Ports
Secretary of State Rubio accused China of bullying after 92 of 124 ships detained in Chinese ports during March were Panama-flagged, up from 19 of 45 in February. The detentions followed Panama's seizure of two Panama Canal ports from a
Analysis
The 75% Panama-flag share among March detentions is a clear retaliatory signal from Beijing following the canal port seizures. China is using port state control, a routine safety mechanism, as a coercive economic tool, a pattern previously seen in disputes with Australia and Lithuania.
The 75% Panama-flag share among March detentions is a clear retaliatory signal from Beijing following the canal port seizures. China is using port state control, a routine safety mechanism, as a coercive economic tool, a pattern previously seen in disputes with Australia and Lithuania.