Critics of Hong Kong firm CK Hutchison Holdings over a deal to sell its ports around the world – including two at the Panama Canal – should “pause and calm down,” a senior lawmaker in the city has said.

The city’s chief executive said a deal between the Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison and BlackRock, a major American investment firm, requires “serious attention.”

CK Hutchison is moving ahead with its Panama ports sale as scheduled, in a sign China’s anger over the transaction hasn’t disrupted negotiations. Li Ka-shing’s firm and a BlackRock-led group are finalizing due diligence,