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

A reported plan by Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings to separate two Panama Canal facilities from its controversial port deal would not bring “any practical significance” as the crux was whether the docks sold would be under Washington’s control, an article by pro-Beijing media and reposted by a key Beijing office has argued.

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) reposted a second article by Ta Kung Pao critical of the deal on its website on Tuesday, the second in two days.

The latest article cited Lau Siu-kai, a consultant with Beijing’s semi-official think tank, the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, as saying that splitting up the port sale would not have much practical significance.

“The fundamental issue revolves around whether the ports are subject to the pressure and control from the US government, rather than the transaction details,” he said.

“In the context of an increasingly complex global landscape, every decision made by the Chinese government starts from national interests and security, which is an important safeguard for upholding national sovereignty and development.”

He added that discriminatory measures against Chinese vessels or companies could be imposed at the two relevant ports under pressure of the US government if the transaction was completed.