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Sir Ka-shing Li (; born 29 July 1928) is a Hong Kong billionaire business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the senior advisor for CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings, after he retired from the
Chairman of the Board The chair, also chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a Board of directors, board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by ...
in May 2018; through it, he is an investor, developer, and operator of the largest health and beauty retailer in Asia and Europe. In July 2023 Li was the 33rd richest person in the world, with an estimated net wealth of . In the March 2024 Forbes list of The Richest People In The World Li Ka-shing was ranked 38th with a net worth of $37.3 billion. Li invests in a wide array of industries, including transportation, real estate, financial services, retail, and energy and utilities. His conglomerate company Cheung Kong Holdings invests in many sectors of the Hong Kong economy and made up 4% of the aggregate market capitalisation of the
Hong Kong Stock Exchange The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (, SEHK, also known as Hong Kong Stock Exchange) is a stock exchange based in Hong Kong. It is one of the largest stock exchanges in Asia and the List of major stock exchanges, 9th largest globally by market ...
. ''Forbes Magazine'' and the Forbes family honoured Li Ka-shing with the first ever Malcolm S. Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award on 5 September 2006, in
Singapore Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...
. In spite of his wealth, Li has cultivated a reputation for leading a frugal no-frills lifestyle, and is known to wear simple black dress shoes and an inexpensive Seiko wristwatch. He lived in the same house for decades, in what has now become one of the most expensive districts in Hong Kong, Deep Water Bay in Hong Kong Island. Li is also a philanthropist, donating billions of dollars to charity and various other philanthropic causes, and owning the second largest private foundation in the world after Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2019, Forbes put Li in the list of most generous philanthropists outside of the US.


Early life

Li was born in Chao'an, Chaozhou in Guangdong Province in 1928 to Teochew parents named Li Yun-ching (1898–1943) and Cheung Bik-chin (1893–1984). Li and his family fled to Hong Kong in 1940 as refugees from the Sino-Japanese war. Owing to his father's death from
tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB), also known colloquially as the "white death", or historically as consumption, is a contagious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can al ...
, he was forced to leave school at the age of 15 and found a job in a plastics trading company where he worked 16 hours a day. In 1950 he started his own company, Cheung Kong Industries. From manufacturing plastics, Li developed his company into a leading real estate investment company in Hong Kong that was listed on the
Hong Kong Stock Exchange The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (, SEHK, also known as Hong Kong Stock Exchange) is a stock exchange based in Hong Kong. It is one of the largest stock exchanges in Asia and the List of major stock exchanges, 9th largest globally by market ...
in 1972. Cheung Kong expanded by acquiring Hutchison Whampoa and Hongkong Electric Holdings in 1979 and 1985 respectively.


Business career


Plastics manufacturing

In 1950, after learning how to operate a plant, Li founded a plastic manufacturing company in Hong Kong with personal savings and funds borrowed from relatives. Li avidly read trade publications and business news before deciding to supply the world with high quality plastic flowers at low prices. Li learned the technique of mixing colour with plastics that resemble real flowers. After retooling his shop, he prepared the plant for a visit from a large foreign buyer. Fortunately for Li, the buyer placed a large order and a few years later, Li grew to be the largest supplier of plastic flowers in Asia and made a fortune selling them.


Real estate

In 1958, believing rents would continue to rise, Li decided to purchase a site and develop his own factory building. An opportunity to acquire more land arrived after the 1967 riots when many people fled Hong Kong, and, as a result, property prices plummeted. Li believed the political crisis would be temporary and property prices would eventually rise, and bought land from the fleeing residents at low prices. In 1971, Li officially named his real estate development company Cheung Kong (). Cheung Kong Holdings was publicly listed in
Hong Kong Stock Exchange The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (, SEHK, also known as Hong Kong Stock Exchange) is a stock exchange based in Hong Kong. It is one of the largest stock exchanges in Asia and the List of major stock exchanges, 9th largest globally by market ...
in 1972. During board meetings, Li stated on a number of occasions his goal of surpassing the Jardines-owned Hongkong Land as a leading developer. The successful bid by Cheung Kong for development sites above the Central and Admiralty MTR stations in 1977 was the key to challenging Hongkong Land as the premier property developer in Hong Kong. Despite its size, Jardines decided in the 1980s to protect itself from hostile takeover by Li or other outside investors. The company implemented a cross-shareholding structure that was designed to place control in the hands of Britain's Keswick family despite their less than 10% holdings in the group. In 1984, the company also moved its legal domicile from Hong Kong to another
British overseas territory The British Overseas Territories (BOTs) or alternatively referred to as the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are the fourteen dependent territory, territories with a constitutional and historical link with the United Kingdom that, ...
Bermuda Bermuda is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. The closest land outside the territory is in the American state of North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. Bermuda is an ...
, in anticipation of the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong to People's Republic of China in 1997. In an effort to drive forward divestitures of assets in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, Li agreed to sell The Center, the fifth-tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong. With a value of (), the deal constitutes the biggest ever office space real estate sale in the Asia-Pacific region. Li sold the Century Link complex in
Shanghai Shanghai, Shanghainese: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: is a direct-administered municipality and the most populous urban area in China. The city is located on the Chinese shoreline on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the ...
for US$2.95 billion, the second largest transaction for a single building, according to the
Financial Times The ''Financial Times'' (''FT'') is a British daily newspaper printed in broadsheet and also published digitally that focuses on business and economic Current affairs (news format), current affairs. Based in London, the paper is owned by a Jap ...
. In 1979, Li purchased a major stake in Hutchison Whampoa from Hong Kong Bank through Cheung Kong.


Retail

A subsidiary of CK Hutchison, AS Watson (ASW), is a retail operator with over 15,000 stores. Its portfolio encompasses retail brands in Europe such as Superdrug (UK), Marionnaud (France), Kruidvat (Benelux countries), and in Asia including health and beauty retailer Watson's store and wine cellars et al., PARKnSHOP supermarkets (and spin-off brands), and Fortress electrical appliance stores. ASW also produces and distributes water products and beverages in the region.


Asset trading

CK Hutchison builds up new businesses and sells them off when shareholder value can be created. Profits were obtained in the sale of its interest in Orange to Mannesmann Group in 1999, making a profit of . In 2006, Li sold 20% of Hutchison's ports business to Singapore rival
PSA Corporation PSA International Pte. Ltd., formerly the Port of Singapore Authority, is a global port operator and supply chain company. One of the largest port operators in the world, PSA's portfolio comprises over 70 deepsea, rail, and inland terminals. The ...
, making a profit on a deal. Group subsidiary Hutchison Telecommunications sold a controlling stake of 67% in Hutchison Essar, a joint venture Mobile operator in India, to
Vodafone Vodafone Group Public Limited Company () is a British Multinational company, multinational telecommunications company. Its registered office and global headquarters are in Newbury, Berkshire, England. It predominantly operates Service (economic ...
for .


Internet and technology

Li has also made a foray into the technology business, where his investment and venture capital firm Horizons Ventures is specifically allocated towards backing new internet and technology startup firms, and bought a stake in doubleTwist.Spotify Li Hutchinson Markets Equities Technology"
. ''Forbes'', August 2009
His other firm, the Li Ka Shing Foundation bought a 0.8% stake in social networking website :Facebook for in two separate rounds, and invested an estimated in the music streaming service
Spotify Spotify (; ) is a List of companies of Sweden, Swedish Music streaming service, audio streaming and media service provider founded on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. , it is one of the largest providers of music streaming services ...
. Some time between late 2009 and early 2010, Li Ka-shing led a Series B round of financing for Siri Inc. In 2011, Horizons Ventures invested in Summly, a website-summarizing app. Notably, the investment made Nick D'Aloisio, Summly's founder, the world's youngest person to receive a venture capital investment at just fifteen years old. In 2012, Horizons Ventures invested in Wibbitz, a company that provides a text-to-video technology that can automatically convert any article post or feed on the web into a video in a matter of seconds. In August 2012, Li acquired a stake in Ginger Software Incorporated. In 2013, Horizons Ventures invested in
bitcoin Bitcoin (abbreviation: BTC; Currency symbol, sign: ₿) is the first Decentralized application, decentralized cryptocurrency. Based on a free-market ideology, bitcoin was invented in 2008 when an unknown entity published a white paper under ...
payment company BitPay. In February 2015, Horizons Ventures participated in a Series C funding round in Zoom Video Communications. Later in the year, Li participated in a Series D round in Impossible Foods. In 2016, he continued investments in technology companies and Horizons Ventures led a Series A round in
Blockstream Blockstream is a blockchain (database), blockchain technology company led by co-founder Adam Back, headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with offices and staff worldwide. The company develops products and services for the storage an ...
, the leader in blockchain related technologies, and also invested in a startup incubator fund Expa, that works with the founders to build new companies. In September 2017, Li worked with Alibaba's
Jack Ma Ma Yun (; born 10 September 1964), or more commonly referred as Jack Ma, is a Chinese businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of the Jack Ma Foundation, and co-founder of Alibaba Group and Yunfeng Capital. As of May 2025, Ma's ne ...
to bring AlipayHK, a digital wallet service, to
Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...
.


Water

Through CK Infrastructure Holdings Limited, Li owns 75% of British water supplier Northumbrian Water, the remaining 25% being held by US private equity firm KKR. Despite losses of ~£22 million between March 2022 and July 2023, CK Group and KKR between them took £159 million in dividends from the organisation which in the same period paid its chief executive, Heidi Mottram, $1.24 million. In 2022 the business was fined £240,000 for discharging untreated sewage into a water course in northeast England over a period of two days.


Australian tax dispute

In 2013 a claim was lodged by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) against Cheung Kong Infrastructure (CKI) to pay approximately in unpaid tax, penalties and interest relating to tax disputes concerning SA Power Networks and Victoria Power Networks. The dispute was resolved in 2015 when CKI entered into an agreement with the ATO. No penalty was levied against CKI and a sum of approximately was refunded from the previously paid to the ATO by CKI.


Retirement

After his almost-70-year reign over CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings, Li announced his retirement on 16 March 2018 and the decision to pass control of his empire to his son, Victor Li. He is still involved in the conglomerate as a senior advisor.


Others

Besides business through his flagship companies CK Asset Holdings and CK Hutchison Holdings, Li Ka-shing has also personally invested extensively in real estate in Singapore and Canada. He was the single largest shareholder of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), the fifth largest bank in Canada, until the sale of his share in 2005 (with all proceedings donated, see below). He is also the majority shareholder of a major energy company, Husky Energy, based in
Alberta Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...
, Canada. Husky was acquired by Cenovus in 2021, and Li owns 27.2% of the newly merged company. In January 2005, Li announced plans to sell his stake in the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, with all proceeds going to private charitable foundations established by Li, including the Li Ka Shing Foundation in Hong Kong and the Li Ka Shing (Canada) Foundation based in
Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
, Ontario. Li was the non-executive director of the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation since 1980 and became deputy chairman of the bank in 1985. He was also Deputy Chairman of
HSBC HSBC Holdings plc ( zh, t_hk=滙豐; initialism from its founding member The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) is a British universal bank and financial services group headquartered in London, England, with historical and business li ...
in 1991–1992. According to Bloomberg, he had a net worth of in July 2021.


Personal life

Li was married to his first cousin, Chong Yuet-ming (1933–1990) in 1962 until her sudden death on
New Year's Day In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Day is the first day of the calendar year, January 1, 1 January. Most solar calendars, such as the Gregorian and Julian calendars, begin the year regularly at or near the December solstice, northern winter ...
1990 due to a suspected drug overdose (other sources name the cause as cardiac arrest). She was the daughter of his maternal uncle (mother's younger brother), Cheung Jing-on (1908–1996) and his wife, Hew Bik-yin (1911–2002), who were also from the Chaoshan region. Both settled in
British Hong Kong Hong Kong was under British Empire, British rule from 1841 to 1997, except for a Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, brief period of Japanese occupation during World War II from 1941 to 1945. It was a crown colony of the United Kingdom from 1841 ...
long before Li migrated to the city. He has two sons, Victor and
Richard Richard is a male given name. It originates, via Old French, from compound of the words descending from Proto-Germanic language">Proto-Germanic ''*rīk-'' 'ruler, leader, king' and ''*hardu-'' 'strong, brave, hardy', and it therefore means 'st ...
, both Canadian citizens. Victor Li succeeded his father as Chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings and Chairman of CK Asset Holdings, while Richard Li is Chairman of PCCW, the largest telecom company in Hong Kong. He is a follower of
Buddhism Buddhism, also known as Buddhadharma and Dharmavinaya, is an Indian religion and List of philosophies, philosophical tradition based on Pre-sectarian Buddhism, teachings attributed to the Buddha, a wandering teacher who lived in the 6th or ...
. Li has been called "plainly dressed" for a Hong Kong tycoon. In the 1990s, he wore a timepiece from
Citizen Watch , also known as the Citizen Group, is an electronics company primarily known for its watches and is the core company of a economy of Japan, Japanese global corporation, corporate group based in Nishitokyo, Tokyo, Japan. In addition to Citizen bra ...
and plain ties. He later wore a Seiko. In 2016, he wore a Citizen watch. Most recently he has been spotted wearing an Apple Watch. His son Victor Li was kidnapped in 1996 on his way home after work by gangster Cheung Tze-keung (aka "Big Spender"). Li Ka-shing paid a ransom of directly to Cheung, who had come to his house."Kidnapper of Li Ka-shing's son rang tycoon to ask where he should invest HK$1billion ransom."
Mimi Lau. ''
South China Morning Post The ''South China Morning Post'' (''SCMP''), with its Sunday edition, the ''Sunday Morning Post'', is a Hong Kong-based English-language newspaper owned by Alibaba Group. Founded in 1903 by Tse Tsan-tai and Alfred Cunningham, it has remaine ...
.'' 29 November 2013.
A report was never filed with Hong Kong police. Instead the case was pursued by mainland authorities, leading to Cheung's execution in 1998, an outcome not possible under Hong Kong law. Rumours circulated of a deal between Li and the mainland.


Awards and honours

* Grand Bauhinia Medal *
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
* Commandeur, Légion d'honneur * Honorary Doctor of Laws,
University of Hong Kong The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a public research university in Pokfulam, Hong Kong. It was founded in 1887 as the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese by the London Missionary Society and formally established as the University of ...


Politics

For many years, he was considered to be a pro-Beijing figure. However, in 2010s, tensions had been growing between Li and the mainland. During the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, he refused to outright condemn the protesters, instead urging for peace and calling on the authorities to respond to the protesters humanely. On 4 August 2011 at the interim results announcement for Hutchison Whampoa, Li endorsed
Henry Tang Henry Tang Ying-yen (; born 6 September 1952) is a Hong Kong politician who served as the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong between 2007 and 2011. He held the position of Financial Secretary from 2003 to 2007. In 2012, he lost the Hong Kong Chief ...
for the forthcoming chief executive election. Then Li said "You all can be just like me, one-person-one-vote ()." The media then looked at Li in disbelief, and pointed out that regular citizens do not get one-person-one-vote. Li then tried to laugh it off and said "maybe in 2017 they will have one-person-one-vote to choose the chief executive, I probably just said it a little early." However, Li was criticised by Chinese official state-run press agency
Xinhua Xinhua News Agency (English pronunciation: ),J. C. Wells: Longman Pronunciation Dictionary, 3rd ed., for both British and American English or New China News Agency, is the official State media, state news agency of the China, People's Republic ...
for being ambiguous in his opposition to the Umbrella movement protests and his support for Leung. Later, prior to the Legco vote, Li said that the largest threat to Hong Kong's future was if the government failed to ensure passage of the 2014–15 round of political reform. Li's business empire has a presence around the world, including China. Li came under attack from the '' Global Times'' newspaper in early 2015, when his companies put out word that it was considering selling prime Shanghai and Beijing properties. It became apparent that Li aimed at re-weighting his asset portfolio to more stable and transparent markets in the West. Concerted attacks ensued and went into a crescendo as China's economy slowed down dramatically in the second half of the year, and the central government sought a way to stem the capital outflows. Specific reproaches were that his asset disposals were "an act of ingratitude" and "immoral at such a sensitive juncture"."內地智庫籲“別讓李嘉誠跑了” 長和:有買有賣是正常商業行為"
''South China Morning Post'' (Chinese edition)
''Security Times'', a ''People's Daily'' publication, estimated that Li has sold at least worth of assets since 2014. Li's holding companies denied divesting in China, saying that its asset disposals were being undertaken in the ordinary course of business. The attacks stopped abruptly several weeks later, when editorials in official publications such as ''People's Daily'' and ''Beijing Youth Daily'' took a neutral stance in unison.


Charities

* The Li Ka Shing Foundation was established in 1980 with a focus on education, medical services and research initiatives. To date, Li Ka-shing has invested over HK$30 billion in projects covering education, medical services, charity and anti-poverty programmes, with about 80% of the projects in mainland China and Hong Kong. * Li's donation in 1981 resulted in the founding of Shantou University (STU) and the Shantou University Medical College, near his hometown of Chaozhou. Li has earmarked grants and contributions of over HK$12 billion to develop STU. In 2013, Li granted US$130 million to establish the Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology in Guangdong Province as a joint venture between
Technion – Israel Institute of Technology The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology is a public university, public research university located in Haifa, Israel. Established in 1912 by Jews under the dominion of the Ottoman Empire, the Technion is the oldest university in the coun ...
and Shantou University. * In September 2001, the newest tower in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University was named after Li, following a HK$100 million donation to the university. * The Li Ka Shing Centre in
Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a List of cities in the United Kingdom, city and non-metropolitan district in the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It is the county town of Cambridgeshire and is located on the River Cam, north of London. As of the 2021 Unit ...
, England, houses a
Cancer Research UK Cancer Research UK (CRUK) is the world's largest independent cancer research organisation. It is registered as a charity in the United Kingdom and Isle of Man, and was formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and t ...
facility, which is a part of the University of Cambridge. The centre was named after Mr. Li following a £5.3 million donation, and was opened in his presence in May 2002. The Li Ka Shing Foundation endowed a professorship of
oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's Etymology, etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγ ...
at the university in 2007 with a subsequent gift of £2 million. * In November 2002, the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in China was founded with a large donation from the Li Ka Shing Foundation. * The Li Ka Shing Library at the Singapore Management University is also named in his honour after a US$11.5 million donation in 2002 to the higher education institution. * After the
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake On 26 December 2004, at 07:58:53 local time (UTC+07:00, UTC+7), a major earthquake with a magnitude of 9.2–9.3 struck with an epicenter, epicentre off the west coast of Aceh in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. The Submarine earthquake, undersea ...
disaster, Li reportedly pledged a total of US$3 million. * In 2005, Li announced a HK$1 billion (US$128 million) donation to the Faculty of Medicine,
University of Hong Kong The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is a public research university in Pokfulam, Hong Kong. It was founded in 1887 as the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese by the London Missionary Society and formally established as the University of ...
. It was renamed to Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine on 1 January 2006, which provoked controversy between the university and quite a number of alumni of the faculty, notably Kwok Ka Ki, over the university's naming procedures. * Also in 2005, Li donated US$40 million to the
University of California, Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after t ...
, citing that he was impressed with the university's accomplishments in the biosciences. In recognition of Li's donation, the university has named the campus' new biosciences facility the Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, which opened in October 2011. * In 2014, The Li Ka Shing Foundation provided a US$10 million gift to support
UC Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after the Anglo-Irish philosopher George Berkele ...
and UC San Francisco to jointly launch the Innovative Genomics Initiative (IGI), based on a new technology discovered at
UC Berkeley The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after the Anglo-Irish philosopher George Berkele ...
by Professor Jennifer Doudna, executive director of the initiative. In the same year, the Li Ka Shing Foundation has also provided $3 million to
Stanford University Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a Private university, private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad magnate Leland Stanford (the eighth ...
for exploring new ways of utilising biomedical data to improve human health. * A long-time supporter of
Stanford University Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a Private university, private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad magnate Leland Stanford (the eighth ...
since the 1980s, Li is the principal benefactor to the US$90 million Li Ka-shing Center for Learning and Knowledge, which opened in Fall 2010 and is now the headquarters for the Stanford University School of Medicine. * On 9 March 2007, Li Ka-shing contributed SGD$100 million to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in the
National University of Singapore The National University of Singapore (NUS) is a national university, national Public university, public research university in Singapore. It was officially established in 1980 by the merging of the University of Singapore and Nanyang University ...
. Also, "to honour and recognize Dr. Li's support and generosity, LKY SPP will name one of its three buildings at the historic Bukit Timah Campus after him". *Li Ka-shing donated to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto to found the Li Ka-Shing Knowledge Institute, which will serve as a medical research and education centre in downtown Toronto. *Li Ka-shing donated to the
University of Alberta The University of Alberta (also known as U of A or UAlberta, ) is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta, and Henry Marshall Tory, t ...
to found the Li Ka-shing Institute of Virology. *Li Ka-shing donated HK$160 million (US$20.6 million) to aid relief efforts in the
2008 Sichuan earthquake An earthquake occurred in the province of Sichuan, China at 14:28:01 China Standard Time on May 12, 2008. Measuring at 8.0 (7.9–8.3 ), the earthquake's epicenter was located boxing the compass, west-northwest of Chengdu, the provincial ...
*Li Ka-shing donated to
McGill University McGill University (French: Université McGill) is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter,Frost, Stanley Brice. ''McGill University, Vol. I. For the Advancement of Learning, ...
in 2013 to establish three exchange programs: the Li Ka Shing Initiative for Innovation in Legal Education, the Li Ka Shing Liberal Arts Exchange Initiative and the Li Ka Shing Program in International Business between McGill and Shantou University. *In 2013, Li Ka-shing donated US$2 million to the
University of California, San Francisco The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in San Francisco, California, United States. It is part of the University of California system and is dedic ...
to support their advance precision medicine initiative. The funds will be used to build a worldwide network of clinicians and researchers, launch leadership exchanges between UCSF and China, and create a systems-pharmacology program to develop more precise medications. *With a donation from Li of over HK$3 billion,
Tsz Shan Monastery Tsz Shan Monastery (慈山寺) is a prominent Buddhist temple situated in Tung Tsz, Tai Po District, Hong Kong. The monastery is notable for its 76-meter tall bronze-cast statue of Cintāmaṇicakra, Ruyilun Guanyin, an esoteric manifestation of t ...
was developed over a period of ten years as an institute of Chinese Buddhist practice and education as well as a place for spiritual contemplation. It was opened to the public in April 2015. *(Hong Kong, 28 April 2015) In the aftermath of the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal and its neighboring regions, the Foundation has made a donation of US$1 million from its Just in Time Fund to provide immediate aid to help ease human suffering and to support ongoing relief efforts in Nepal. *In 2017 Li Ka Shing Foundation donated US$3 million (A$3.75 million) to the University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research (UMCCR) (Australia) for precision oncology. The goal of this donation is to help accelerate the pace of discovery and increase the knowledge used to diagnose and treat cancer. *In 2017, with the support of a £20 million gift from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Oxford University launched the Big Data Institute. The centre gathers researchers to analyse worldwide biomedical data and catalyze the development of new treatments for cancer, Alzheimer's and several infectious diseases. *In 2018 Li Ka Shing donated HK$10 million to Food Angel, a program that provides hot meals for people in need. *In 2018 Li Ka Shing Foundation and CK Hutchison Holdings donated US$5 million for Palu-Donggala disaster relief, after Tsunami and Earthquake in Indonesia. *The Foundation funded the world's first circumnavigation of the Antarctic by a robot from January to August 2019. The 23-foot autonomous sailing drone carried instruments of the U.S.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA ) is an American scientific and regulatory agency charged with Weather forecasting, forecasting weather, monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions, Hydrography, charting the seas, ...
in an effort to enhance climate data collection so as to improve understanding of the Antarctic carbon cycle and as a test for a roll-out of up to 1,000 craft worldwide. *In January 2019, Li Ka Shing Foundation supported the relief works of Médecins Sans Frontières in Bangladesh and Democratic Republic of Congo. *In February, the Foundation committed USD2M to extend its vision of scaling socio-economic impact through technological disruption and innovation in Zhejiang and Shanghai. Later in July, the Ba De-nian Medical Education Development Fund and the Women’s Development Program were launched at the Zhejiang University. *In March 2019, LKSF donated HK$10 million to support Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital’s “Transcatheter Cardiovascular Interventions Subsidy Scheme”. This month also saw the Grand Opening of Tsz Shan Monastery cum Inauguration of Buddhist Art Museum. *In June, LKSF offered Tuition Free Academic Scholarships for students of Shantou University and Medical College with the incoming class of 2019. *In July, Shanghai’s Little Pigeon Dancing Group’s trip to a dance competition in Japan was funded by LKSF. *Future Now Expedition to Australia started off in September with the support of the Foundation. *In October, LKSF announced a donation of HK$1 billion to set up the Crunch Time Instant Relief Fund in support of local SMEs which were under duress from unprecedented challenges. *In 2020, the Li Ka Shing Foundation has supported the global fight against COVID-19 by sourcing protection gear from around the world and funding medical research and services. HK$180 million had been used for relief efforts, including making a donation of HK$100 million to support the frontline medics in Wuhan. *In 2019 and 2020, the Li Ka Shing Foundation granted over HK$200 million in support of medical and welfare services for Hong Kong. The “Love Can Help” Medical Assistance Programme offered financial assistance to patients falling outside the social security safety net and ineligible for government subsidies. “Love Can Help II” expanded support to the social welfare community; non-governmental organizations providing various services to the visually impaired, mentally handicapped and physically disabled, autistic children, elderly and underprivileged families. *In July, LKSF announced an additional HK$101 million in support of services for the citizens of Hong Kong: “LOVE CAN HELP II” - New HK$100 Million Grant In Support Of Medical and Welfare Service for Hong Kong. *In September, LKSF announced a grant totalling HK$170 million to four local universities simultaneously to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness. *In September, LKSF contributed to PALLIUM CANADA to support frontline professionals in palliative care. *In November 2020, donation of HK$5 million for the publication of Hong Kong Chronicles. *In November 2020, HK$3 million emergency relief fund donated to relatives of the victims of Yau Ma Tei fire. *In December, two Li Ka Shing Chair Professors, Prof. Michael Houghton and Prof. Jennifer Doudna, awarded Nobel Prizes 2020 in Medicine and Chemistry respectively. Dr. Qui-Lim Choo and Dr. George Kuo, members of Prof. M. Houghton’s team, honored by LKSF with the same Nobel prize money of US$380,000 each. *24 January 2021, the Li Ka Shing Foundation donated HK$20 million to support Precious Hospital (Caritas)’s Total Knee Replacement programme. *February 2021, LKSF presented PARKnSHOP coupons worth of HK$200 to all 97,000 Hospital Authority staff to thank them for unwavering commitment and dedication protecting Hong Kong people; a donation of HK$4.1 million was made to support for radiological examination at HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine for patients with gastroenterology and liver diseases in Queen Mary Hospital. *In April, an additional to support the University of Ottawa to carry out chronic spinal cord injuries research on top of a contribution of C$1 million in support of research on biomaterials in 2019. *In April, Li Ka Shing Foundation donated HK$4 million to support Hong Kong Kidney Foundation’s Home Nocturnal Haemodialysis program. *In July, Li Ka Shing Medical Fellowship for Internal Medicine was set up at the Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. *In October, a donation of HK$5.6 million was made to support Sailability Hong Kong to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to learn sailing. *In December, LKSF donated HK$5 million to subsidise patients with chest pain to undergo coronary computed tomography angiography at LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. *From February to March 2022, Li Ka Shing Foundation made a donation of about HK$60 million to support private hospitals in Hong Kong to receive non-COVID-19 patients to relieve the pressure on the public healthcare system, and donated HK$5 million to fund elderly homes to purchase protective materials. *In April, LKSF donated HK$2 million to support the TREATS Inclusive Sports for All programme; and another HK$2 million to fund the Hong Kong Sensory Integration Training and Professional Development Centre of SAHK. *In May, Li Ka-shing Foundation, along with CK Group, each made a donation of HK$ 3M to the Community Chest of Hong Kong Pandemic Rainbow Fund *In May, LKSF donated HK$150 million to support the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s research funding, HK$5 million to support the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing in promoting the continuing education of specialist nurses, and to support the Education University of Hong Kong in popularising AI education. *In June, Li Ka Shing Foundation launched the Construction Industry Casualty Assistance Programme to give a helping hand to the families of the victims due to construction accidents. *In July, LKSF made a donation of to support the haemodialysis programme at SUMC First and Second Affiliated Hospitals. *In August, LKSF donated HK$4 million to support research on obstructive sleep apnea and lung cancer diagnosis at LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. *In January 2023, Li Ka Shing Foundation donated to subsidise the Shanghai Little White Pigeon Dance Troupe. *Supported the GI Scan Subsidy Programme at the University of Hong Kong for patients with liver (March) and gastroenterology (October) diseases to undergo multiphasic cross-sectional imaging. *In April, a donation of was made by LKSF to support the construction of a new inpatient building of Chaozhou People’s Hospital. *In August, HK$30 million was donated to support flood relief efforts in Beijing-Tianjin and Northeast China, and a donation of was made to support the medical aid program for the underprivileged at the Shantou University Medical College Affiliated Hospitals. *In the same month, a donation of was also made to support Philanthropy Asia Alliance to promote innovative solutions to address issues of Asian and global concern. *In the same month, LKSF made a donation of HK$1 million to support Opera Hong Kong to launch the "Li Ka Shing Foundation and Opera Hong Kong Young Artist Overseas Residency Fellowships” to nurture local artists. *In October, LKSF donated HK$3 million to support the Hong Kong Kidney Foundation’s Home Nocturnal Haemodialysis Programme. *In December, LKSF donated HK$30 million to assist Gansu Earthquake relief efforts. *In March 2024, LKSF made a donation of HK$10 million to contribute to the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Interventions Subsidy Scheme (2024-26) of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. *In May, LKSF donated US$4 million to establish Research Professorship in Hepatology and cancer research funds at the University of Michigan. *In the second half of 2024, both the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong and the Faculty of Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong received an innovative non-invasive cancer treatment device Histotripsy systems donated by The Li Ka Shing Foundation. *Later, the Foundation also made donations to a number of NGO programmes, namely Precious Blood Hospital (Caritas)’s Cataract Surgery Subsidy Programme (HK$2 million), CUHK Medical Centre’s Urolithotripsy Surgery Subsidy Programme (HK$2 million), Concern Hong Kong’s Oral Health and Dental Care Program (HK$2 million) ), and the TREATS Sport For All Project for students with special needs (SEN) from low-income families (HK$1 million) ).


See also

*
Hong (business) A hong () was a type of Chinese merchant establishment and its associated type of building. Hongs arose in Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) as intermediaries between Western and Chinese merchants during the 18th and 19th centuries under t ...
* Li's field * List of Hong Kong people by net worth


Notes


References


External links


Profile
at Cheung Kong Holdings
200 Inspiring Quotes from Hong Kong Billionaire Li Ka-shing
{{DEFAULTSORT:Li, Ka-Shing 1928 births 20th-century Hong Kong businesspeople 21st-century Hong Kong businesspeople Billionaires from Guangdong Businesspeople awarded knighthoods Businesspeople from Guangdong Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce people Chaoshanese people Chinese company founders Chinese venture capitalists CK Hutchison Holdings people Commanders of the Legion of Honour Financial company founders Hong Kong Affairs Advisors Hong Kong billionaires Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee members Hong Kong Buddhists Hong Kong businesspeople in real estate Hong Kong businesspeople in retailing Hong Kong businesspeople in shipping Hong Kong chairpersons of corporations Hong Kong emigrants to Canada Hong Kong hoteliers Hong Kong information technology businesspeople Hong Kong investors Hong Kong philanthropists Hong Kong telecommunications industry businesspeople HSBC people Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire Living people Members of the Election Committee of Hong Kong, 1998–2000 Members of the Election Committee of Hong Kong, 2000–2005 Members of the Election Committee of Hong Kong, 2007–2012 Members of the Election Committee of Hong Kong, 2012–2017 Members of the Election Committee of Hong Kong, 2017–2021 Members of the Preparatory Committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Members of the Selection Committee of Hong Kong Nonprofit businesspeople People from Chaozhou People with multiple citizenship Real estate company founders Recipients of the Grand Bauhinia Medal