China has come out swinging after Panama’s high court ruled against a Hong Kong-backed company’s right to operate key ports at the Panama Canal, vowing the government will “pay a heavy political and economic price” if it did not reverse course.

China has backed a high-profile legal case against the Panamanian government over control of the Panama Canal.

Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings has started arbitration against Panama after its Supreme Court ruled a canal port concession unconstitutional.

[BEIJING] China is asking state firms to halt talks over new projects in Panama, as part of Beijing’s broader retaliation after the Central American country voided CK Hutchison Holdings’ contract to operate two ports along its strategic canal, according to people familiar with the matter.

The move could derail potential investments worth billions of dollars, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private matters.

Panama’s Supreme Court has ruled that the concession held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings to operate ports at either end of the Panama Canal was unconstitutional, an outcome that advances a U.

Panama takes on the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series on Wednesday at Estadio Panamericano de los Charros.