China urges fair and just environment for its companies abroad

China supports Chinese companies, including those in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to invest in other countries, and all countries should provide a fair and just environment for these companies, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday.

Lin made the remarks at a regular news conference after Reuters reported that an investor group backed by BlackRock agreed to buy a majority stake in the Hong Kong-based company that runs ports along either side of the Panama Canal.

The $22.8 billion sale by Hong Kong's CK Hutchison to US and Swiss investors also includes dozens of ports in other countries, the companies announced Tuesday, according to Reuters.

The United States President Donald Trump has said the US intends to "take back" the Canal.

Without commenting on the deal, Lin said China is opposed to the abuse of coercion and pressuring in international economic and trade relations.