July 17 (Reuters) - China is threatening to block the

sale of more than 40 ports around the world, all owned by Hong

Kong-based CK Hutchison ( CKHUF ), to BlackRock ( BLK ) and MSC

if Cosco, a Chinese shipping company, does not get a stake, the

Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing unnamed

sources.

Reuters could not immediately verify the WSJ report.