The Office of the President of Panama issued a statement on the 28th, explicitly opposing the demolition of the monument commemorating the 150th anniversary of Chinese immigration to Panama located at the Americas Bridge observation deck on the western side of the Panama Canal. It ordered the immediate restoration of the monument at its original site.
During the night of the 27th and into the early hours of the 28th, the China-Panama Park and the monument commemorating the 150th anniversary of Chinese immigration to Panama at the Americas Bridge observation deck in Aliajé, Panama, were forcibly demolished. On the 28th, President Juan Carlos Varela, several government officials, and multiple ministries including Public Works and Canal Affairs issued separate statements condemning the action as solely attributable to the Aliaje Municipal Government, while highly praising the monument's profound historical significance.
The statement declared: “In light of this, the monument must be immediately restored at its original site, with coordination between Panama's Chinese community and the Ministry of Culture.”
Through social media, Mulino issued a stern statement unequivocally condemning the Aliahan municipal government's actions and demanding an immediate investigation.
Mulino declared the act “barbaric” and without justification. He emphasized that Panama's Chinese community has deep roots in the nation's history, having settled in Panama for generations, and “deserves full respect.” Müller also called for an immediate investigation, describing such actions as “unforgivable.”
The Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement the same day expressing respect and concern for the Chinese community, noting that for over 170 years, the Chinese community has been an integral part of the nation's development.
In a separate statement, the Panamanian government indicated that the demolition occurred at night, lacked dialogue, involved no prior notification, and failed to consult relevant groups. The government further stressed that local authorities had not coordinated or communicated with the community before the monument's removal.
On the night of the 27th, the Aliahan City government issued a statement citing structural safety risks at the site as the reason for demolition. The Panamanian Chinese community strongly opposed and condemned this action.
Multiple Chinese associations in Panama released a joint statement on the 28th, noting that the China-Panama Park was built through the collective efforts, investment, and commitment of Panama's Chinese community to mark the 150th anniversary of their arrival in Panama. Since June 2024, Chinese associations have repeatedly attempted to communicate with the Alhaín City Government to preserve the monument. However, these requests received no effective response. Since March this year, the Chinese community has received no response from the municipality regarding related petitions.
The statement declared that under these circumstances, Panama's Chinese community will request an investigation and pursue administrative accountability to safeguard the damaged historical, cultural, and integration heritage. (By Hou Jiaqi, CGTN)
