US Secretary of Defense: China’s military presence in the West Hemisphere is too big

Hegest said at a regional security conference that Chinese companies are corolling land and vital infrastructure in strategic sectors. “China’s military presence in the West Hemisphere is too big,” he said. “Do not doubt that Beijing is unjustly investing and investing in the region for military advaage and economic benefits.”

Hegest urged regional governmes to cooperate to confro China and threats from iernational drug cartels and extensive immigration.

The remarks came a day after the US Secretary of Defense meeting with Preside Panama and visiting the Panama Channel. At the meeting, the two couries agreed to increase security coordination.

The trip came as tensions over repeated claims by US Preside Donald Trump about the US “over -paying” to the Panama Canal and China’s influence on its activity have increased.

The Chinese Embassy in Panama, after a visit to Hegst, accused the US governme of using blackmail to advance its ierests, insisting that the United States was not allowed to ierfere with Panama’s decisions to choose its business partners.

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