Frida Ghitis : Chinese man leads plan to build transoceanic canal through Nicaragua . And David Ashley , an engineering professor at the University of Nevada who was a consultant to the Panama Canal Authority , said the Panamanians examined the Nicaraguan idea and concluded that it did not pose a threat to their own expansion plans . It would be one of world 's most ambitious engineering projects , bigger than Panama canal . She says it would boost China , not U.S. , in Central America . Critics say Ortega pushing for it . Ghitis : There are many skeptics , but project set to start Dec. 22 . The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Frida Ghitis : Chinese man leads plan to build transoceanic canal through Nicaragua . It would be one of world 's most ambitious engineering projects , bigger than Panama canal . She says it would boost China , not U.S. , in Central America . Critics say Ortega pushing for it . Ghitis : There are many skeptics , but project set to start Dec. 22 . The Associated Press contributed to this report.