Tokyo, Aug. 1 -- Panama's comptroller general has filed lawsuits aimed at stripping a powerful Chinese conglomerate of its grip on both ends of the Panama Canal, a move that threatens to unravel China's decades-long strategic foothold in one of the world's most critical maritime trade routes, Nikkei Asia reported.

Anel Flores, Panama's top fiscal watchdog, confirmed on Wednesday that he has lodged two lawsuits with the country's Supreme Court, challenging the legality of a 25-year port concession renewal granted in 2021 to CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate controlled by Chinese billionaire Li Ka-Shing. According to Nikkei Asia, Flores labelled the agreement as "abusive to the country's interests" and accused the renewal proces...