Declassified files: Former Hutchison European executives say Li Ka-shing is ＂equal＂

Hong Kong News The British Archives Office recently declassified a Li Ka-shing file in 1987, which shows that in a confidential letter to the British government, Lord De Winter, the managing director of Hutchison Europe at that time, said that Li Ka-shing was quite political, but at the same time he was also an absolute realist., so the relationship with China's high-level is very good.

The spokesperson of Cheung Hwa Group, a subsidiary of Li, said that the above-mentioned letter is De Winter's personal opinion, and everyone knows Li Ka-shing's personality.

Hutchison is a business run by Li Ka-shing, which was reorganized and merged with Li Ka-shing's real estate company Cheung Kong in 2015.

According to the Sing Tao Daily report, the British Archives Office unsealed the relevant files last month. Among them was a letter sent by De Winter to the then British Minister of Trade and Industry David Young, mentioning that he (Li Ka-shing) knew very well that he was a ChinesePeople, and proud of it, of course he is quite political, and he has a low opinion of Beijing's bureaucracy.He is also an absolute realist, well-connected with the top levels of the Chinese government, donating a university in his hometown, and working closely with Chinese officials.

In response to De Winter's letter, the spokesperson of CK Hutchison Group responded that it was more than 30 years ago and it was only De Winter's personal opinion.In the corporate system, Derwent did not report directly to Li Ka-shing. Li Ka-shing had no knowledge of the letter, and no copy of the letter was sent to Li Ka-shing.

The spokesperson also emphasized that everyone knows Li Ka-shing's character, so there is no need to say more.

Li Ka-shing founded the Li Ka-shing Foundation in 1980, focusing on supporting education and medical projects. So far, he has donated more than 20 billion Hong Kong dollars (S$3.5 billion), and about 80% of the projects are in Greater China, including the establishment of Shantou University.Shantou University is the only public university in China that is long-term funded by private funds.

According to the 2018 Forbes Global Rich List, Li Ka-shing ranked 23rd with US$34.9 billion (S$48.1 billion), and third in China, behind Ma Huateng with US$45.3 billion and Jack Ma with US$39 billion.