April 28 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry has asked

all parties involved in CK Hutchison's ( CKHUF ) planned sale of

most of its ports operations to a BlackRock ( BLK )-led

consortium to "act prudently," state news agency Xinhua reported

on Monday.

The sale by the Hong Kong conglomerate, which contains two

ports adjacent to the strategically important Panama Canal, has

become highly politicised amid intensifying U.S.-Sino trade

tensions.

The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the

matter, reported on April 16 that the MSC shipping empire, a

part of the BlackRock ( BLK ) consortium, has held discussions on moving

ahead with the bulk of the deal while disputes over the two

Panama ports are resolved.

"We have taken note of relevant reports," foreign ministry

spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular press briefing, according

to Xinhua.

The spokesperson also urged the parties to maintain full

communications with the relevant Chinese departments, the report

added.

China's top market regulator had also responded to the Wall

Street Journal report on Sunday, saying it was paying close

attention to the deal, and that the parties should not try to

avoid an antitrust review.

Tycoon Li Ka-shing's CK Hutchison ( CKHUF ) announced last month it

would sell its 80% holding in the ports business, which

encompasses 43 ports in 23 countries. The business has an

enterprise value of $22.8 billion, including debt.

CK Hutchison ( CKHUF ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters

request for comment.