Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

Asked to comment on a report by the Wall Street Journal claiming that the Chinese government has told CK Hutchison that the sale of global ports outside the Panama ports was unlikely to be an issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that "we have taken notice of the relevant reports and of the fact that the State Administration for Market Regulation has expressed serious concerns about the transaction in question and will conduct a review in accordance with the law." 

All parties involved must not attempt to circumvent the review through any means and shall not proceed further before obtaining approval, or they will bear legal consequences, Guo said.

China has always firmly opposed any acts of economic coercion or bullying tactics that infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other nations. "We urge all relevant parties to act prudently and engage in full communication with Chinese authorities," he said, while adding that "China remains committed to reform and opening-up and welcomes foreign enterprises to invest in China."

Global Times