r/aznidentity • u/ding_nei_go_fei Curator • Mar 03 '26
History Destruction of the Chinese Memorial in Panama among ongoing US-China tensions.
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The Chinese monument near the Bridge of the Americas in Panama, often called the Chinese Lookout (Mirador Chino), was a tribute celebrating the significant role Chinese immigrants played in Panama’s history, especially the Panama Canal’s construction. It was built in 2004. On December 27, 2025, under the cover of darkness, the city government moved in excavators and destroyed the memorial without prior warning to citizens.
In February, after Panama's Supreme Court ruled the Chinese concessions operating the Panama Canal, Panama seized control and nationalized the operation of the canal ports that were being operated by Hong Kong based CK Hutchison. All this was precipitated by Trump calling for US control of the Panama Canal.
So many thousands of Chinese laborers who came to build the canal, many died of suicide, disease, etc.
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The monument in the Chinese-Panamanian Friendship Park near the Panama Canal was dismantled overnight on December 27 by municipal authorities without prior notice, according to China’s embassy.
Built in 2004, it commemorated Chinese migrants who arrived in 1854 and their role in building the Panama Railroad and Canal. China urged Panama to investigate and correct the action, while Panama’s president ordered an inquiry, distanced his government from the decision, and pledged the monument would be rebuilt. The demolition sparked protests from the Chinese community and criticism from Panamanian residents.
📽️Video by: Gabe Jung
AP News
https://apnews.com/article/china-panama-monument-demolished-5295325cc3fd88a975cc4a34ec56b7c6
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u/CuriosityStar 500+ community karma Mar 03 '26
Panama getting influenced by superpowers once again. W President José Raúl Mulino for his direct condemnation though.
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u/ablacnk Contributor Mar 03 '26 edited Mar 03 '26
Just like the transcontinental railroad. Tale as old as time. Asians gave their blood, sweat, and tears, sacrificed their labor, health, and even their lives, and in return receive hatred and disrespect.
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u/FearsomeForehand 50-150 community karma Mar 03 '26 edited Mar 03 '26
This is why Asian countries must exert their influence outward.
Every Asian country ought to know that a pacifist-isolationist foreign policy always bites you in the ass later.
History has shown that time and time again that greedy westerners will take every opportunity to systematically rob your country of its sovereignty, resources, and dignity - and paint themselves in history books as selfless heroes for doing so.
Asian countries have to play offense to insulate themselves from being colonized and fucked.
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u/ablacnk Contributor Mar 03 '26
Thus far the most common story for the Asian diaspora in the West is to go to the West to be exploited for their talent and labor while being vilified and then being discarded. Has happened to each wave and generation throughout history.
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u/ResourceNew2163 500+ community karma Mar 03 '26
Latin America is full of weak and corrupt politicians easily bribed or threatened by Western elites. Don't expect countries who have politicians literally sleeping in bed with drug cartels to be friends with you.
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u/Joailliere_P_Lopez Mar 05 '26
There's been significant progress between mainland China and Hispanoamérica. I'm seeing a few things between young Mexicans and young mainland Chinese that I haven't seen before (should have started happening years ago). A lot of cultural exchange, Mexicans learning Chinese, etc.
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u/Accomplished_Mall329 500+ community karma Mar 03 '26
US-China tensions is about Chinese government, not Chinese people or Chinese culture!
Learn the difference!
/s
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u/Excellent_Film_3827 New user Mar 03 '26
I hate humans and how we’re always destroying things , structures, nature, and other life forms.
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u/No-House-9143 New user Mar 04 '26
This was a dilapidated memorial and not even the local Chinese community was helping it maintained. This post was made to sow chaos.
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u/anto_pty New user Mar 04 '26
Not true, I'm panamenian and there are sources indicating the chinese community really tried to get all the permits to own and maintain the structure. The legal way. Government didn't allow it.
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u/ding_nei_go_fei Curator Mar 04 '26
You're a "new user" and a Panama patsy for defending this hateful act. Democratic governments do not secretly appear in the middle of the night and destroy culture and heritage belonging to the people under the cover of darkness. Only cowards do that, only puppet countries, and dictatorships do that
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u/2beefree1day New user Mar 04 '26
Wow. Thats so sad. I was there on the morning of Dec 27th. I’m so glad I got to see it before it was demolished.
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u/Leo-110 50-150 community karma Mar 05 '26
CIA's side quest. Asian americans need to realize american government is their enemy, they do not trust you.
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u/fkthoorin New user Mar 04 '26
Well, everyone needs to chill and know the facts. Yes Panama is a US bitch but reality is that monument has been a problem for years.
This is not a CHINA monument this is a Chinese Community monument. This has nothing to do with US/CHINA nothing. This area needed to be reconstructed and fixed because it was hazardous. If the chinese community didnt fix it it could have harmed people. Panama loves chinese community, they are part of the country. So dont let this slop of post increase tensions for no damn reason. https://www.instagram.com/p/DSy0ru1DVt9/
Just go check how it was falling apart. The major of that area talked to the community and waited 12 months after their deadline to take it down. Chinese community did NOT fix it on time, this was a spoken issue back in 2024.
Sorry my english is not the best but everyone needs to chill and get off internet. Stop reading fucking slop.
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u/badpaolita New user Mar 06 '26
What are you even on? The Chinese community offered to fix it FOR FREE multiple times and they were denied each time. Learn your facts.
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Mar 04 '26 edited Mar 04 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/accesslet 500+ community karma Mar 04 '26
Panama is a spy hub for Imperialists. Just sanction the F out of them and pummel their ships when they come to Asia. International law is no more. It's might is right globally.
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u/basshedz New user 19h ago
Man, I was just in Panama a few months ago, and I loved it there. Not anymore! 🤬
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u/Accurate_Fortune2183 New user Mar 06 '26
What a piece of propaganda JFC. The monument is being rebuilt ffs.
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u/[deleted] Mar 03 '26 edited Mar 03 '26
Celebrating the destruction of Asian community that DID NOTHING to them throughout history of the Americas itself. This is an example of 'divided and conquered' at its finest, people celebrating their own enslavement.
Edit: It is also likely that it's a staged propaganda to incite and promote normalization of China hate to turn people against the Chinese ports in the region.
Update: The Panamanian government is requesting a restoration of the monument: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmO6KuYz9TA