Beijing: 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 Anadolu Agency, Lin Jian emphasized that “Egypt’s sovereignty over and management and operation rights of the Suez Canal are indisputable.” This statement follows President Trump’s recent announcement that American vessels should be able to travel through the Panama and Suez canals without incurring fees. Trump justified this demand by claiming that these strategic waterways owe their existence to the United States.

Both the Panama and Suez canals are critical maritime routes. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through Panama, while the Suez Canal in Egypt links the Mediterra
nean and Red Seas, providing the shortest maritime route between Europe and the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The operation of these canals involves significant transit fees, which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the size and cargo of the vessel.

President Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation,” highlighting the importance the US administration places on this issue. The demand has raised concerns about sovereignty and economic control over these strategic passages, particularly from China’s perspective, as it stands by Egypt’s rights to manage its own canal operations.