New Delhi, March 19 -- Asian conglomerate CK Hutchison's deal to sell its Panama Canal ports to a consortium led by America's BlackRock Inc is facingintense criticismfrom Hong Kong and China.

Earlier this month, billionaire Li Ka-shing-owned CK Hutchison had signed a $23 billion deal to sell most of its ports operations, including those in the Panama Canal,to a US-led consortium following pressure from US President Donald Trump. The Panamanian ports of Cristobal and Balboa are located at the Atlantic and Pacific ends of the canal, respectively.

According to the deal, the consortium would also take over Hutchinson's controlling stakes in 43 ports in 23 other countries.

"There have been extensive discussions in society about the issue an...