A sprawling business empire built by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing is caught in the crossfire as the extent of Chinese influence over the Panama Canal is debated.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week it was "unacceptable" for Hong Kong-based companies to control the canal's entry and exit points,

The lawsuit claims that the contracts allowing Hong Kong-owned CK Hutchison Holdings to operate two ports at either end of the canal violate Panama's constitution.

Panama is weighing whether to cancel its contract with the Hong Kong-based company that operates ports near the Panama Canal, according to people with knowledge of the situation, a potential concession to defuse President Donald Trump’s threats about countering China’s influence around the key waterway.