China consistently respects Panama's sovereignty over the Panama Canal and recognizes it as a permanently neutral international waterway, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's statement about "retaking" the Panama Canal.

China has not participated in the Canal's management and operations and has never intervened in its affairs, Mao said.

(With input from Xinhua)