The Chinese government has condemned a ruling from Panama’s top court, warning the Central American country “will inevitably pay a heavy price” unless it changes course. The rebuke comes shortly after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled to void Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s licence to operate ports at either end of the Panama Canal. The ruling was seen as a major victory for the Trump administration’s security ambitions in the Western Hemisphere, given that the White House has made blocking China’s influence over the critically important waterway one of its top priorities. In a commentary posted on Tuesday on its WeChat account, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said the “logically flawed” and “utterly ridiculous” ruling was opposed by the Chinese government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

Full report : China has threatened political and economic consequences against Panama after a court ruling to void CK Hutchison’s contract to operate ports near the strategic Panama Canal.