China's market regulator said it will review Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison's sale of Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium, a Beijing-backed newspaper in Hong Kong reported on Friday. The State Administration for Market Regulation was "aware of this transaction and will conduct a review in accordance with the law,

Beijing’s threat to stop a tycoon’s sale of his ports business has dealmakers wondering if they can still operate without political interference.

China's market regulator said in a statement on Friday it will review Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison's deal to sell its two port operations near the Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led group in accordance with law to protect fair competition and safeguard public interests.