BEIJING:  , China on Friday ( Feb 7 )  , said it “regrets” Panama’s decision to withdraw from Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure programme after the Latin American nation ended its participation in the project in a concession to Washington. ” Beijing regrets Panama’s choice”, foreign ministry official Lin Jian said, urging Panama to” regard the broader bilateral relationship and the long-term passions of both regions” and “resist outside intervention”. Since winning the US election in November, President Donald Trump has vowed not to use power to capture the river, which was constructed by Washington over a decade ago and eventually given over to Panama. The constricting body of water that connects the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean accounts for about 40 % of US container traffic. Beyond the fees collected, Washington has shown a strong interest in Chinese investment in the 80 km long canal, which handles 5 % of global maritime industry. On Thursday, Panama’s president, Jose Raul Mulino, confirmed that the nation had withdrawn from the Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI ) infrastructure program.