God, FairOpinion, I can only hope we are right.
I think I read somewhere that the Chinese would like to get hold of Panama and Cuba was holding discussions with them, so they can get more established in Cuba, but then I haven't read any more.
I am sure that a lot of nasties consider Panama a prize and we need to make sure that they don't get emboldened and think it's there for the taking.
I put China and Panama into google and some frightening stuff comes up.
Here is one that gives a reasonable summary, but you might try to do a search as well.
China company grabs power over Panama Canal
August 12, 1999
http://www.conservativeusa.org/panama-washtimes.htm
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott recently wrote to Defense Secretary William S. Cohen that a Chinese shipping company is gaining broad authority over the Panama Canal and could deny passage to U.S. ships.
"It appears that we have given away the farm without a shot being fired," the Mississippi Republican said in the Aug. 1 letter requesting Mr. Cohen's security assessment.
The focus of concern is Hutchinson Whampoa Ltd., a giant Hong Kong-based shipping firm with ties to China's leadership and its armed forces, the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
Under circumstances the U.S. Embassy in Panama called unusual, the government in 1997 awarded Hutchinson a 25- to 50-year contract to run the two major ports on the canal's Atlantic and Pacific entrances.