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Hutchison’s Panama ports deal

Hutchison’s Panama ports deal
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hutchison’s Panama ports deal. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The Panama port deal still hung in the balance by the close of 2025. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Could 2026 be the make-or-break year of CK Hutchison’s Panama ports deal?

What began as a strategic exit for a Hong Kong conglomerate has devolved into a high-stakes stand-off between Washington and Beijing.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong politics in 2025: Jimmy Lai verdict, Legco poll and Panama port saga

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US-China relations

US highlights Panama security ties as China-linked canal ports deal stalls

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US-China trade war

CK Hutchison gets encouraging signs of a deal with Panama government

Panama is still open to being flexible and reaching an amicable agreement with CK Hutchison, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing.

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The Port of Balboa, located at the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City, is managed by the Hong Kong company CK Hutchison. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Announcing canal revamp, Panama dodges questions about Chinese ownership

Demand from China and other Asian markets for energy products that terminal expansions will accommodate is expected to double.

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Hong Kong stock market

CK Hutchison says US$23 billion global ports sale delayed until 2026

The deal is taking much longer than expected because of the size and complexity, co-managing director Frank Sixt says.

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Panama

China accuses US of ‘lies as pretext for seeking control’ of Panama Canal

US envoy tells UN meeting that Beijing’s influence is a ‘risk to Panama and the US’ and a ‘potential threat to global trade and security’.

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China’s ambassador to the UN Fu Cong said China had always respected the neutrality of the Panama Canal. US envoy Dorothy Shea, however, spoke about concerns over China’s “outsized influence” over the canal region. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Ban Chinese-linked operators from key Panama Canal ports, US envoy says

Cabrera calls CK Hutchison ‘a bad operator’ and ‘a company of the Communist Party’.

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Millionaires and billionaires

Tsz Shan Monastery book offers peek into Li Ka-shing’s philosophy

Titled ‘Eternity in Light’, the five-chapter tome features writings about the Tsz Shan Monastery to mark its 10th anniversary.

US-China relations

CK Hutchison’s US$22.8 billion ports deal flounders on Panama

New legal challenges in Panama add another hurdle to Li Ka-shing’s global port sale, while attempts to allay Chinese concerns about the deal risk inflaming US opposition.

Photo: AP Photo
Hong Kong economy

Another storm brews for CK Hutchison under Panama ports partnership proposal

State partnership plan floated by Panamanian president could trigger significant losses for Hong Kong-based conglomerate, experts warned.

Balboa is one of two Panama Canal ports operated by a unit of CK Hutchison. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Panama ports deal: Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison urges respect for rule of law

Panama’s president has floated the idea of state partnerships taking over ports operation in country.

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Hong Kong economy

Panama logs over 160 actions in ports investigation amid US-China canal dispute

Panama’s attorney general says inquiry into alleged wrongdoing by CK Hutchison unit that runs two Panama Canal ports is ‘not a routine case’.

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Hong Kong economy

Will CK Hutchison’s plan to tap mainland Chinese firm for ports deal pay off?

Deal may become bargaining chip between US and China, experts say, as Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate looks to add ‘significant member’ to consortium.

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CK Hutchison has revealed that it plans to invite a mainland Chinese firm to join a consortium behind the deal as a “significant member”. Photo: Sam Tsang
United States

US conducts military drills in Panama Canal amid Trump’s China influence concerns

These drills come amid Donald Trump’s repeated claims of excessive Chinese influence over the crucial trade route, despite Panama’s assertions of sovereignty.

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A US military Black Hawk helicopter flies over the Pacific side of the Panama Canal as it travels to the Darien province to provide a humanitarian assistance in Panama. Photo: AP
Hong Kong economy

Little confidence Hong Kong’s Hutchison port deal can surmount ‘major hurdles’

China and Panama unlikely to sign off on US$23 billion deal before July 27 deadline for exclusive negotiation, legal and logistics experts say.

John Lee

Exclusive | Hong Kong firms must consider national interests in commercial deals: John Lee

Chief executive outlines stance amid controversy over CK Hutchison’s deal to sell overseas ports to consortium led by US investment giant BlackRock.

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Hong Kong politics

Xia Baolong’s 4 ‘hopes’ viewed as ‘wake-up call’ for Hong Kong, Macau firms

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office director’s message takes aim at CK Hutchison Holdings and businesses with ties to the US, analyst says.

Xia Baolong (left), director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, and John Lee. Xia has spelled out his expectations for businesses in a closed-door meeting on Monday. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings pledges Panama port deal won’t violate laws

Statement comes after mainland China’s market regulator asked parties involved not to circumvent ongoing antitrust probe.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s Li Ka-shing in rare public appearance, declines to discuss port deal

Tycoon appears at Kai Tak Stadium where Taiwanese band Mayday is playing string of shows, but declines to discuss controversial ports deal.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously pass motion seeking unity against Trump tariffs

Some lawmakers also use Legislative Council session to call for tycoon Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison not to go ahead with selling Panama ports.

Some lawmakers have called for CK Hutchison not to go ahead with plans to sell its Panama ports. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Li Ka-shing appears in person for first time since ports deal

Elderly founder of CK Hutchison visits hospital to see demonstration of cutting-edge device donated by Li Ka Shing Foundation.

Li Ka-shing (left) with Dr Walton Li, CEO of HKSH Medical Group and Medical Superintendent of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. Photo: Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital
Hong Kong politics

Beijing office posts article critical of splitting ports off in Hutchison deal

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office reposts second article by Ta Kung Pao critical of deal, the second in two days.

Hong Kong economy

Hutchison ports deal: China’s foreign ministry tells parties to ‘act prudently’

Spokesman weighs in on reports that Panama Canal ports may be separated from controversial US$23 billion deal.

Hong Kong politics

Hutchison ports deal: China regulator warns parties not to circumvent probe

State Administration for Market Regulation says it is ‘highly concerned about the relevant transaction’ following reports deal is to be split up.

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Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison operates two ports at the Panama Canal. Photo: Reuters
CK Hutchison

In hot water: CK Hutchison's ports deal risks being dunked

The company’s Panama Canal ports are at the centre of a geopolitical storm that shows no sign of abating

In hot water: CK Hutchison’s ports deal risks being dunked
US-China tech war

Jensen Huang in Beijing, Auto Shanghai kicks off and more

This week: Jensen Huang in Beijing, China’s first quarter GDP beats expectations and Trump says US and China are in trade talks. Next week: Auto Shanghai kicks off, Japanese officials visit Beijing, robotic half marathon and more.

Hong Kong transport

How Hutchison deal could make shipping line MSC world’s dominant port operator

Geneva-based MSC, the first container carrier to operate 900 ships, will strengthen its marine dominance by taking over CK Hutchison’s overseas ports.

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