CK Hutchison Holdings chose to sell its port assets to a consortium that includes BlackRock Inc., apparently angering Beijing.

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

Beijing's veiled attack on Hong Kong's CK Hutchison for selling its Panama Canal ports by posting a blistering newspaper commentary against it is an attempt to pile pressure on the conglomerate to either axe the deal or negotiate better terms that protect the national interest,