Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu meets the media ahead of an Executive Council meeting on January 27, 2026. Photo: VCG

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Tuesday reiterated the government's strong dissatisfaction with a ruling by Panama's top court, saying that the decision has undermined investor confidence in Panama's business environment and that the HKSAR government will review both current and future investments there, according to local media reports.

Lee made the remarks at a press briefing when commenting on a ruling by the Supreme Court of Panama late last month, which declared unconstitutional the renewal of an operating concession involving Panama Ports Co (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, for two ports in the country.

Citing the remarks by a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry (FM), Lee said that China will take all necessary measures to safeguard the relevant rights and interests, adding that the HKSAR government will fully support and cooperate in those efforts, mingpao.com reported on Tuesday.

Lee stressed that the HKSAR government's stance is clear in opposing any foreign government's use of coercion, pressure or other political means in international economic and trade relations.

HKSAR Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau last week summoned Panama's consul general in Hong Kong to express dissatisfaction, saying that Panama's "reneging" on lawful commercial arrangements had damaged credibility, harmed the local business environment and economic development, and seriously undermined trade rules, according to the chief executive.

Lee urged the Panamanian government to respect the spirit of contracts, provide a fair and just business environment for enterprises operating lawfully in the country, and ensure that their legitimate rights and interests are not subject to interference.

The HKSAR chief executive's remarks made it clear that, in line with the central government's stance, the HKSAR government is determined to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of enterprises, said Song Ding, a research fellow at the China Development Institute.

In response to questions about the Panama Supreme Court ruling at a press briefing on February 5, Chinese FM spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated China's clear stance on the issue and stated that China will firmly defend the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies.

In a commentary posted on February 3, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council of China stated that Panamanian Supreme Court's ruling is an act of bad faith that disregards facts and severely undermines the lawful rights and interests of the company of China's Hong Kong. It stressed that the Chinese government is committed to protecting the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies. 

Song told the Global Times on Tuesday that the ruling by Panama's Supreme Court is a political maneuver made under US pressure, which undermines three decades of stable cooperation between the two sides.

The ruling came as the US pledged to "deny non-Hemispheric competitors" control of "strategically vital assets" in the Western Hemisphere and to push out foreign companies involved in infrastructure projects there, with the Panama Canal seen as the most immediate test of how that power struggle could unfold, according to CNN. 

By pursuing a power-driven approach, the US is eroding the international order and pressuring smaller countries such as Panama to serve its own interests, Song said, adding that China is a key economic partner of Panama, and the Panamanian side should be aware that fully excluding China will definitely inflict significant damage on its economy.