“In Asia, our traditional values encourage and even demand that wealth and means pass through lineage as an imperative duty.
I urge and hope to persuade all of us in Asia that if we are in a position to do so, that we transcend this traditional belief. Our reorientation of perspective today could bring forth great hope and promises for the future. I set up a foundation that I refer to as my third son. This idea dawns on me like enlightenment, not coming from any books. Since 1980, I have dedicated to this son not only my assets but all my heart, and I believe that my colleagues in the Foundation and my family are – and will remain – as committed as I am to serve his causes, reshaping destiny through education and seeking efficient initiatives that can forever help those in need.” Li Ka-shing – 2006
Mr. Li Ka-shing believes that the Asian culture of giving should evolve into philanthropy with a social impact that can develop a better society and to inspire societal improvement.
With this in mind, we have three main focuses at the Foundation:
To nurture a new philanthropic attitude in Asia
To create a paradigm shift that develops positive and sustainable change
To foster a healthier world by assisting research and services
Mr. Li Ka-shing was born in Chaoan, Chaozhou in 1928. Early adversities in his life, which included being forced to quit school and fleeing to Hong Kong due to the war as well as his father’s passing from illness, taught him lessons in childhood that created a blueprint for life. Mr Li was determined to start his own business with technologies he developed and to see education and medical philanthropy as part of a life-long mission to promote social welfare and human progress.
In 1950, Mr Li established Cheung Kong Industries, manufacturing plastic products in quantities made possible by his new injection molding technology. Grasping the trend of rapid urban development, in 1960, he ventured into property development and had Cheung Kong Holdings Limited listed on the stock exchange in 1972. By the end of that decade, he had become the first Hong Kong Chinese to take the helm of a large foreign-funded conglomerate by acquiring Hutchison Whampoa, a company he took global. Today, his businesses span more than 50 countries and employ 300,000 individuals.
Mr Li retired as Chairman of the Cheung Kong Group in 2018 to focus on the work of the Li Ka Shing Foundation.