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Hong Kong leader rejects foreign governments' 'coercion' and bullying

Hong Kong's leader John Lee responded on Tuesday that his government is opposed to "coercion and bullying tactics" used by foreign governments, after being questioned about the port deal between CK Hutchison and U.S. company BlackRock.

CK Hutchison announced this month that it had agreed to sell the majority of its $22.8 billion global ports business, which includes assets along Panama Canal's strategically important corridor, to a BlackRock-led group in a deal, which has now become politically charged.

At his weekly press conference, Lee said that the (Hong Kong government) urges other governments to create a fair and equitable environment for businesses.

We oppose abusive coercion and bullying tactics in international trade and economic relations.

U.S. president Donald Trump had previously demanded that the Panama Canal be taken away from what he said was Chinese ownership. American officials and politicians also stated that CK Hutchison’s control over the ports posed a serious security threat to the operation.

CK Hutchison said that the deal was "pure commercial in nature" and had nothing to do with recent political news stories concerning the Panama Ports.

Two comments were posted by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China (HKMAO), a week after the announcement.

criticising

CK Hutchison, saying that the deal was a betrayal to China and a neglect of national interests. (Reporting and editing by Anne Marie Roantree and Tom Hogue; Kate Mayberry, Anne Marie Roantree and Clare Jim)

(source: Reuters)