China's top official in charge of Hong Kong affairs has hinted that a Hong Kong-based conglomerate should review its plan to sell its port assets near the Panama Canal to a consortium that includes a US investment fund.



CK Hutchison Holdings, the parent of a company which currently owns the port operation near the canal, announced a tentative deal to sell the business to a group led by a US investment fund, as the Trump administration has warned of Chinese influence on the canal.



Xia Baolong, the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, said in his video message in an event in Hong Kong on Tuesday that it is very naive to believe that fawning over the United States and kneeling down to the country will bring benefit.



Xia added that those who betray the national interest at an important time and side with the enemy will "leave a bad name in history." He apparently hinted that the present port operator should reconsider its plan to sell, without naming CK Hutchison directly.



The firm had initially planned to sign the deal by April 2, but postponed the sale under strong pressure from the Chinese side.



Amid intensifying trade friction with the United States, the Chinese government has been increasing its pressure on Hong Kong businesses and exercising tighter controls, such as demanding their patriotism and contributions to the state.