Chinese authorities increased pressure on CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. over its plan to sell its Panama ports stake by sharing a second newspaper commentary attacking the deal.

HONG KONG -- Chinese state media escalated criticism of CK Hutchison, the Hong Kong-based conglomerate owned by tycoon Li Ka-shing's family, arguing that its agreement to sell Panama Canal port assets to a consortium led by U.S. investment firm BlackRock is unpatriotic.

The US$23 billion sale is not final, but needs no Chinese or Hong Kong approval, leaving CK Hutchison to decide whether to proceed, analysts say.