Beijing Resumes Criticism of CK Hutchison Over Panama Ports Deal

The Port of Balboa, formerly managed by CK Hutchison Holdings, based in Hong Kong, located at the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City, on March 12, 2025. MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP

Beijing authorities kept up their pressure on CK Hutchison on Wednesday, resuming criticism of the Hong Kong conglomerate’s sale of its Panama Canal ports.

The business empire built by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing offloaded its global ports business outside China this month to a group led by giant asset manager BlackRock for $19 billion in cash.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.