Beijing’s threat to stop a tycoon’s sale of his ports business has dealmakers wondering if they can still operate without political interference.

China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO) reposted a commentary criticising CK Hutchison's port deal with U.S. firm BlackRock as a betrayal of China, sending shares of the Hong Kong-based conglomerate sharply lower on Friday.

Ninety-six-year-old Li Ka-shing earned the nickname “superman” for his uncanny sense of when to sell. Not for the first time, one of his deals has angered Beijing.