Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, has weighed into a controversy over the sale of a prominent conglomerate’s Panama Canal port assets to a consortium including American investment bank BlackRock Inc. The deal has angered Beijing and highlights escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington.
Lee told reporters that concerns raised about the deal deserve serious attention, but he did not specify what those concerns were. He urged foreign governments to provide a fair environment for enterprises and opposed the use of coercion or bullying tactics in international economic relations.
Beijing has responded with veiled criticism, reposting commentaries from a Beijing-backed local newspaper that suggest the deal is a betrayal to Chinese interests. The sale has raised questions about national loyalty and the involvement of American politicians in business deals.
The deal requires approval by Panama’s government, but it does not affect control over ports in Hong Kong or mainland China. Panama says it maintains full control over the shipping lane and denies any US “reclaiming” of the canal.
US President Donald Trump has hailed the deal, claiming that his administration will “reclaim” the Panama Canal. However, a deal between BlackRock and CK Hutchison Holdings is not expected to affect US control over the waterway.
The incident highlights the pressure on business leaders in Hong Kong, which was returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Increasing influence from Beijing adds to the tension, as the city navigates complex relationships with its global partners.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/hong-kongs-leader-takes-swipe-at-trump-but-avoids-criticism-of-deal-to-sell-panama-assets