China and Hong Kong Criticize 'Bullying' Following Panama Canal Ports Deal Amid US Pressure

China is examining a deal struck by a Hong Kong company, CK Hutchison, to sell ports at the Panama Canal to a U.S. financial firm led by BlackRock. Beijing has directed multiple agencies to investigate the transaction for security risks and antitrust violations. The deal, valued at $22.8 billion, has drawn scrutiny following President Trump's accusations that China seeks to control the strategic waterway. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office reposted commentaries calling the sale a betrayal of China. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that China opposes infringing on other countries' rights through economic coercion, echoing similar sentiments from Hong Kong's leader John Lee, who urged a fair environment for enterprises and opposed coercion in international economic relations.