CK Hutchison's (HKG:0001) sale of its ports worldwide is now in limbo as a deadline for the transactions arrived Wednesday, Nikkei Asia reported Thursday.

The uncertainty surrounding the transactions, especially involving its Panama Canal ports, comes amid criticism from Chinese state media, the report said.

China's antitrust regulator earlier said it will assess the transaction "to protect fair competition in the market and safeguard the public interest," the report said.

Hong Kong's government has also called for more patriotism especially in the face of the deal, Nikkei Asia said.

Media outlets in the city have said both CK Hutchinson and BlackRock, the other party to the Panama Canal port deals, have not consummated the deal on schedule "for reasons that everyone knows," Nikkei Asia reported.

Both parties have not yet called off the sale with the arrangement calling for a 145-day exclusivity period, Nikkei said.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)