BEIJING - A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said that recent reports that CK Hutchison has been granted permission to sell its global port assets other than those along the Panama Canal are unfounded.

"I would like to reiterate that the State Administration for Market Regulation has said it is paying close attention to the deal and will review it in accordance with the law. It has also said that all parties involved must refrain from taking any actions to evade the review, and no concentration of undertakings may proceed without approval, otherwise, legal liability will be incurred," spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular news briefing.

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The Chinese government will resolutely safeguard China's national sovereignty, security and development interests in accordance with the law, and maintain market fairness and justice, Lin said, noting that the business activities of enterprises should abide by relevant laws and refrain from harming national interests.