By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-18 02:31:37 | Updated at 2025-03-18 05:54:53
3 hours ago
Hong Kong’s leader has said concerns arising from tycoon Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings’ Panama Canal ports sale deserve “serious attention” as he stresses that all transactions will have to abide by the city’s laws.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday also spoke out against foreign governments’ “abusive use of coercion” in trade relations.
Hutchison surprised markets earlier this month by announcing it was selling its ports operations, except for those in China, to a group led by US investment firm BlackRock in a deal worth US$23 billion, with the Hong Kong company set to receive US$19 billion in cash.
Two Beijing offices overseeing Hong Kong’s affairs have since posted scathing commentaries twice on their websites criticising the deal, moves seen as an indirect way for the central government to pressure the company into reconsidering the sale.
Breaking his silence on Tuesday, Lee noted what he described as “extensive discussions” in society over the transaction.
“This reflects society’s concern over the matter. These concerns deserve serious attention,” he said.
“The Hong Kong SAR government urges foreign governments to provide a fair and just environment for enterprises, including enterprises from Hong Kong. We oppose the abusive use of coercion, or bullying tactics in international economic and trade relations,” he added, without naming any country.
