Panama has become the first Latin American nation to exit Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy and relationship with China’s global infrastructure ambitions,

The Belt and Road Initiative is President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign police drive to bind China closer to countries in the region and beyond.

At a regular press briefing, a ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said China deeply regretted Panama's decision. "We hope that Panama will make the right decision based on the overall situation of bilateral relations and the long-term interests of the two peoples,