Panama Canal will remain Panamanian and open to all nations, says official

Administrator rejects Donald Trump's claims that China controls canal or suggestion US could take it back

• Who owns the Panama Canal and what does Trump want with it?

The Panama Canal will remain in Panamanian hands, and open to commerce from all countries, according to the administrator of the waterway, who rejected claims by president-elect Donald Trump that the US should take it over.

Ricaurte Vasquez denied Trump's claims that China was controlling the canal's operations, and said making exceptions to current rules concerning its operation would lead to chaos".