Li Ka-shing was born on 13th of June 1928 in the south eastern coastal city of Chiu Chow, China. He is known as the most influential business man in East Asia and Hong Kong.
His father, the head of a primary school, died when Li Ka-Shing was only 12. Soon the responsibility of shouldering family came upon a him. Shing started his life selling watch bands at local market and bus stops and ended up became wholesaler at the age of 17. Years of dedication and hardwork facilitated him to come out from engrossed poverty and start his own company Cheung Kong Industries by 1950. Ever since, he has successfully expanded his business in more than 40 countries across the world.
According to reports of 2008, he was the 11th richest business man with net worth at $26.4 billion. He has received Honorary Doctorate from University of Cambridge, University Of Calgary, Hong Kong University Of Science And Technology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong, The Open University Of Hong Kong, Peking University. In 2006, September 5, he was honored with “Malcolm S. Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award” by Forbes family.
Philanthropic work:
In 2002, The Li Ka Shing donated US$11.5 million to Singapore Management University after which The Li Ka Shing Library was named after to show honor towards him
In 2004, he contributed US$3 million for Indian Ocean Earth Quake.
In 2005, he has contributed US$128 million to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong. The same year, he donated US$40 million to the University of California, Berkeley
In 2006, he pledged $10 billion for charity work throughout the world.
In 2007, Li Ka-Shing donated S$100 million to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in the National University of Singapore. He has also given CAD$25 million to St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto
In the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, he donated US$3.85 million
Quotes:
‘Vision is perhaps our greatest strength.. it has kept us alive to the power and continuity of thought through the centuries, it makes us peer into the future and lends shape to the unknown’ Li Ka-shing.
We are approaching a new age of synthesis. Knowledge cannot be merely a degree or a skill… it demands a broader vision, capabilities in critical thinking and logical deduction without which we cannot have constructive progress.
“Information and communications technology unlocks the value of time, allowing and enabling multi-tasking, multi-channels, multi-this and multi-that.”
The future may be made up of many factors but where it truly lies is in the hearts and minds of men. Your dedication should not be confined for your own gain, but unleashes your passion for our beloved country as well as for the integrity and humanity of mankind.
“Sound economic fundamentals coupled with a number of positive factors have partially offset the psychological impact of rising interest rates in Hong Kong.”
Vision is perhaps our greatest strength… it has kept us alive to the power and continuity of thought through the centuries, it makes us peer into the future and lends shape to the unknown.
