China Unicom, PCCW’s second-largest shareholder, said on Tuesday it had no plans to join Richard Li in his appeal against a recent court ruling that blocked a proposed $2bn buy-out of the Hong Kong telecoms company by the partners.

Chang Xiaobing, Unicom’s chairman, said the company would respect a decision made by Hong Kong’s court of appeal, which on April 22 blocked the move by Mr Li, PCCW’s chairman and biggest shareholder, and the Chinese company to take PCCW private.