Chinese antitrust regulators are investigating a US consortium’s deal for two ports in the Panama Canal zone, delaying the deal’s closing that was originally set for next week.

There was never a question that CK Hutchison’s sale of its Panama Canal port assets to a BlackRock-led consortium might face backlash from China. The deal helped its owner, Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing,

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