LI KA-SHING

Li Ka-shing

LI KA-SHING BIOGRAPHY

Li Ka-shing is a prominent Hong Kong entrepreneur and philanthropist who rose from humble beginnings to become one of Asia’s most influential business magnates. Born on July 29, 1928, in Chaozhou, Guangdong, China, Li’s early life was marked by hardship. His family fled to Hong Kong to escape political instability in China, and following his father’s death, Li left school at the age of 15 to support his family. He took a job in a plastics trading company, quickly demonstrating a talent for business.

In 1950, at the age of 22, Li founded his first company, Cheung Kong Industries, initially specializing in manufacturing plastic flowers. As the company prospered, he expanded its operations, venturing into real estate development in the 1960s. This pivot proved transformative; by capitalizing on Hong Kong’s booming property market, Li laid the groundwork for his eventual rise to billionaire status.

By the 1970s, Li’s business acumen had earned him significant influence in Hong Kong’s real estate market, which he expanded further by acquiring assets from British trading companies. In 1979, he made a landmark acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa, becoming the first Chinese entrepreneur to buy a major British-owned corporation. This acquisition provided Li with a platform to diversify his business interests globally. Through Hutchison, he expanded into sectors such as telecommunications, ports, energy, retail, and infrastructure, establishing a global conglomerate with a presence in over 50 countries.

Li’s company, CK Hutchison Holdings, emerged as one of the largest and most diversified multinational corporations in Asia, with substantial holdings in telecommunications, including the prominent telecom provider Three. In addition, his influence extended to infrastructure, where he invested in and managed ports, power companies, and other critical assets worldwide. Li’s strategic investment decisions and talent for identifying growth opportunities earned him a reputation as a visionary entrepreneur, and his companies grew alongside Hong Kong’s transformation into a global financial center.

Throughout his career, Li has also demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy, pledging billions of dollars through the Li Ka Shing Foundation, which he established in 1980. The foundation supports education, medical research, and disaster relief efforts. Li has invested significantly in educational institutions, both in Hong Kong and internationally, with substantial donations to Shantou University in China, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley, among others. Through his foundation, Li has contributed to numerous health and research initiatives, including cancer research, with the aim of improving public health and access to education.

Despite officially retiring in 2018, Li remains an influential figure in the business world, with his two sons, Victor Li and Richard Li, taking active roles in managing and expanding the family’s business empire. Li’s legacy is reflected in his continued influence on Hong Kong’s economy and his reputation as a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs in Asia.

Li Ka-shing’s journey from a young refugee to a global business magnate is widely regarded as an inspiring example of resilience, strategic thinking, and philanthropy. Known for his frugality and modest lifestyle despite his wealth, Li has garnered respect as both a savvy businessman and a philanthropist dedicated to improving society. Today, Li Ka-shing’s contributions to business and philanthropy are celebrated globally, and his life story serves as a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship and philanthropy in shaping both local and international communities.