US and China trade accusations over technology security in Panama

“Chinese law forces these suppliers to cooperate with Beijing’s intelligence services, creating risks of spying, hacking and network shutdowns,” Segura warned, describing their products as “high-risk technologies”.

“We urge US partners in the Americas to quickly switch to trusted suppliers to protect their people and their sovereignty,” Segura concluded in his post, which was shared by the US embassy in Panama minutes later.

Beijing’s diplomatic mission in Panama hit back on Sunday with a statement published on its website that rejected Washington’s accusation as lacking “the slightest factual basis”.

The statement also suggested that it was the United States that had been engaging in intelligence activities across the region, while acting like a thief shouting “stop thief” and beating the victims.