Chinese state media attacked Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison's plan to sell its ports near the Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led group in a social media post on Saturday that was taken down minutes later.

Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing is considering delaying the expected signing next week of a controversial deal to sell his Panama Canal ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc., people with knowledge of the matter said.

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said that it was aware of the deal and would “review it" to safeguard public and national interest