Li Ka-shing, now 90 years old, handed over the post of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Changjiang Group to his eldest son, Li Zeju. For the successor, why did Superman choose his eldest son who was experienced in the shopping mall?
Building Lee's Business Kingdom in More than 70 Years
On the afternoon of March 16, Changhe's performance conference began at the Changjiang Group Center in Hong Kong. Changhe Department's four major companies-Changhe, Changjiang Group, Changjiang Infrastructure and Power Industry-released their achievements at the same time, and these four companies appeared at the same time, which was the first time in many years.
At the press conference, Li Ka-shing, the founder of Changhe Department, announced his retirement, and Li Zeju, the eldest son, became the chairman of the group and continued to serve as the co-managing director of the group. Li Ka-shing said, "I am very grateful that I was lucky enough to set up Changjiang Group all my life, which can create great achievements for shareholders and serve the society. This is my greatest glory. "
Li Ka-shing was born in July 1928, and is called "Hongkong" Superman. With more than 70 years of business experience, he wrote a legend in business history.
1950, Li Ka-shing, who was only 22 years old, founded the Changjiang Plastic Factory with the idea that "the Yangtze River does not choose small streams, so it can be mighty in Wan Li". Li Ka-shing won the title of "King of Plastic Flowers" in just seven years through hard work and extraordinary business talent.
The transformation from plastic flower business to real estate, the defeat of British commercial land to become the land king of Hong Kong real estate, the acquisition of Hutchison Whampoa set a record for Chinese businessmen in Hong Kong to acquire foreign capital, the acquisition of Canadian Husky Energy with global energy companies, the entry into 3G mobile communication and modern high-tech business, and the large-scale investment in European public utilities after the financial tsunami are all important milestones for Li Ka-shing to become an imperial entrepreneur.
In recent years, Li Ka-shing led his huge business empire Gan Kun to move, and merged and reorganized the assets of Changjiang Industry and Hutchison Whampoa. After the reorganization, Changhe Group operates diversified businesses in more than 50 countries around the world, with more than 290,000 employees. It is the world's largest port and retail business, leading in the fields of real estate, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications and data artificial intelligence.
Steve forbes, the founder of Forbes Rich List, once praised Li Ka-shing as "not only the greatest entrepreneur of our time, but also the greatest entrepreneur of all time".
When talking about how to succeed, Li Ka-shing emphasized that "the important condition of success in life is to make your enemies believe in you." He believes that the development of the cause needs to emphasize three points: first, we must pursue the best knowledge, market information and technology in that industry and be in the best state; Second, efforts and perseverance should be exerted to the extreme; The third is to establish a good system and talent team.
Why is the successor the eldest son?
As the richest man in Hong Kong and a global Chinese business leader for 20 years, Li Ka-shing's retirement also means the end of the "Superman" era.
As for the distribution of its net assets of 220 billion yuan, Li Zeju, the eldest son who followed Li Ka-shing for more than 30 years, took over the system of listed companies, including Changhe, Changjiang Real Estate, Changjiang Infrastructure, Power Industry, Industrial Trust, etc., with a market value exceeding HK$ 1 trillion.
Li Zekai, chairman of PCCW, has been starting his own business independently. He will get cash support from his father and buy other industries to develop his own business.
Li Ka-shing is ready for the succession. Li Zeju, the eldest son, was born in 1964 and has worked in Changhe Department for more than 30 years. Unlike his younger brother Li Zekai, who can choose a major according to his personal interests, Li Zeju, the eldest son, chose a major in civil engineering in strict accordance with his father's arrangement, and then studied for a master's degree in structural engineering.
In 20 12, Li Ka-shing, who was getting older, began to make arrangements for his retirement. In July of that year, with the equity transfer of Changhe Department's companies, Li Zeju officially took charge of the entire wealth "kingdom" from his father.
It is worth noting that since Li Zeju joined the core management of Changhe Department in 2000, the investment style of Changhe Department began to change, moving towards diversification and overseas expansion strategy. In Britain, Li Zeju has dominated the investment layout in basic livelihood areas such as natural gas, power grid and taxation.
However, some commentators pointed out that Li Zeju is more like a CFO in managing the company. Although he has many ideas of his own, he still cares about his father Li Ka-shing's opinion. Undoubtedly, in the past few years, many major decisions of Changhe Department were still led by Li Ka-shing, including divesting assets and selling Hong Kong landmark Central Center.
Regarding Li Zeju's performance, Li Ka-shing once said: "Li Zeju can reach 90 points. If he is not Li Ka-shing's son, he will give Li Zeju 100 points ".
With the changes of the times, Li Ka-shing has finally changed from reality to history. He left behind more than just withdrawing money.