The Hong Kong-based firm owned by tycoon Li Ka-shing announced earlier this month that it had entered into an in-principle agreement to sell 45 ports from 23 countries – including two port operations near the Panama Canal – in a US$23 billion deal.
A filing to the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing stated that the negotiations would last 145 days, with reports suggesting both sides were planning to sign “definitive documents” on April 2.
But the source on Friday revealed that the signing will not happen next week, saying “Everyone knows why.”
Meanwhile, the State Administration for Market Regulation’s anti-monopoly branch told the Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group that it will conduct a review of the deal in accordance with the law, to protect fair competition and safeguard the public interest.
The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the central government’s liaison office here have both repeatedly reposted articles from Ta Kung Pao criticising the deal.
