Panamanian law enforcement officers search offices of CK Hutchison subsidiary
發佈日期: 2026-02-27 20:46
TVB News
Panamanian law enforcement officers reportedly searched offices of a subsidiary of CK Hutchison after local authorities forcefully took over two ports on either end of the Panama Canal operated by the company.
CK Hutchison has issued a statement, saying Panama's takeover is not in line with the law that approved its concession contract.
On Thursday, members of Panama's investigative police were seen at a parking lot outside the office of the Panama Ports Company. Dozens of paper boxes believed to be containing documents were loaded onto police vans during the raid.
Local media reports say the operation was tied to the Panama Maritime Authority's request for documents from Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison.
Authorities said PPC failed to provide them with intact documents, adding the independent investigation was conducted exclusively by the Public Ministry of Panama in the exercise of its legal powers.
The Panamanian government recently said that its top court had ruled a concession held by the company to operate two terminals at the Panama Canal was "unconstitutional" and cancelled the contract.
Facilities of the two ports were shortly occupied by Panama's maritime authority under executive decree on grounds of "urgent social interest."
On Thursday, CK Hutchison said PPC has obtained legal opinion that relevant ruling, executive decree and corresponding actions by the Panamanian government are "inconsistent" with the relevant legal framework and the law that approved its concession contract. CK Hutchison's Board of Directors strongly opposed Panama's move.
An earlier statement issued by CK Hutchison pointed to the forced entry of Panamanian government representatives into two container terminals run by PPC. It also called Panama's takeover of the terminals "illegal."
In Beijing, the foreign ministry reiterated that China will firmly safeguard its enterprises' legitimate rights and interests.
