Hutchison’s Panama deal: Beijing warns of coercion that hurts countries
Beijing’s top office on Hong Kong also shares another scathing article over deal by Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate
China’s foreign ministry on Monday warned over economic coercion and bullying that undermined the legal rights of other countries, while Beijing’s top office on Hong Kong affairs shared another scathing article that urged Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings to rethink its Panama ports deal.
The ministry also made its first comment over the State Administration for Market Regulation’s announcement last week that it would launch an antitrust investigation into the controversial deal.
“Let me stress again that China firmly opposes using economic coercion and bullying to harm other countries’ legitimate rights and interests,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.
Analysts said the use of “other countries” indicated that the ministry believed China was not necessarily the only one harmed, but also other countries related to the deal, such as Panama.
Guo said the ministry had noted reports about the regulator’s review.
“The State Administration for Market Regulation said it has noted the deal and will review it in accordance with the law to ensure fair market competition and protect public interests,” he said.
