How Li Ka-shing became a symbol of Hong Kong

The retirement of Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-shing, from the helm of the two companies he built up into a global empire, marks the end of the era of the city’s post-war tycoons, largely self-made men whose endeavours helped the former colony evolve from a manufacturing base to a global trade hub.

Li, who turns to 90 in July, will hand over the chairmanships of CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings to his elder son, Victor Li Tzar-kuoi. The two firms have telecoms, container ports and real estate interests and a combined market capitalisation of HK$641 billion (US$81.7 billion).