US accuses China of detaining Panama-flagged ships

The United States accused China on Thursday of detaining Panama-flagged ships in the Asian country's ports, following a takeover by Panamanian authorities of two ports previously controlled by a Chinese company. "China has now imposed a surge in detentions of Panama‑flagged vessels in Chinese ports under the guise of port state control, far exceeding historical norms," the US Federal Maritime Commission said in a statement.