[The earthquake-resistant design of the Panama Canal ensures normal traffic in the canal] On October 11, a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.6 occurred in Panama on the 9th local time. After the earthquake, the Panama Canal Authority stated that the Panama Canal was operating normally. A Panamanian scholar said in an interview with the main station that the Panama Canal has the ability to withstand strong earthquakes after previous upgrades. The Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and carries about 5% of the world's maritime trade. It is an important global waterway. The canal has been built for more than 110 years and its expansion was completed in 2016. Nestor Luque, director of the Institute of Earth Sciences of the University of Panama, said that active faults near the waterway were discovered during the geological survey of the expansion project, which put forward new requirements for the seismic design of related facilities. The Panama Canal has been upgraded to withstand strong earthquakes. The Panama Canal Authority said in its latest statement that the earthquake caused minor damage to office buildings and other buildings on the Pacific side of the canal and did not affect the passage of canal ships. Inspections of locks, dams and other critical facilities are currently underway. Panamanian President Mulino: There is no problem with the canal. Necessary safety measures are necessary, but the canal has not stopped operations. (CCTV News)