The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government stated on Friday that it strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects the ruling made by Panama's Supreme Court of Justice that the Panamanian government's renewal of the contracts for two Panamanian ports with Hutchison Ports Panama Ports Company was unconstitutional.
The government strongly opposes any foreign government using coercive, repressive or other unreasonable means in international economic and trade relations to seriously harm the legitimate business interests of Hong Kong enterprises, according to a government spokesman.
This would also seriously harm the business environment there, undermining investors' confidence and adversely affecting the bilateral relations and long-term economic development of the two places, the government said.
It reiterated that the Panamanian government should respect the spirit of contracts and provide a fair and just business environment for companies operating legally there, ensuring that the legitimate rights of enterprises are free from any interference.
It noted that Hong Kong enterprises operating and investing in Panama should receive fair and reasonable treatment and protection.
"Given the current situation in Panama, Hong Kong enterprises should carefully review their existing and future investments there," the government spokesman said.
