China supports Chinese companies, including those in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to invest in other countries, and all countries should provide a fair and just environment for these companies, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday.

Lin made the remarks at a regular news conference after Reuters reported that Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison sold a majority stake in a $22.8 billion ports unit, including assets along the Panama Canal, to a group led by US buyout firm BlackRock. The deal gives US firms control of key Panama Canal docks, Reuters reported.

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The United States President Donald Trump has said the US intends to "take back" the Canal.

Without commenting on the deal, Lin said China is opposed to the abuse of coercion and pressuring in international economic and trade relations.