Li Ka-shing's CK Hutchison Holdings plans to sell 43 ports located in 23 countries worldwide to the BlackRock consortium, including ports at the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal.
After the announcement on March 4, CK Hutchison's stock surged from 38 to 52, setting a new annual high, indicating that the capital market highly recognizes Li Ka-shing's decisions.
Recently, the tide has shifted somewhat, especially after state media shared articles, leading to a surge in criticism against Li Ka-shing. I still hold my previous view: you may not believe in the character of the rich, but you must believe in their vision.
We should not blindly follow the crowd to criticize Li Ka-shing, as it brings us no benefit, other than venting emotions without gaining anything in the end. Instead, we should think about the business logic behind Li Ka-shing's decisions. Did he have prior knowledge of information unknown to ordinary people? Or did his keen business and political instincts sense something ominous? Otherwise, why would he sell the ports?
Currently, global trade tensions are ongoing, especially since Trump's administration has imposed tariffs everywhere, and various uncertainties such as wars and pandemics have increased. The trend of globalization is indeed quite evident, and under such circumstances, international trade is not as smooth as before, which naturally affects port operations and may not change in the short term. Of course, Li Ka-shing may also be considering how to avoid geopolitical risks, or there may be information we are unaware of that prompted him to sell the ports.
I think we should ask more questions like these and strive to find information, peeling back the layers to see if we can understand the underlying business logic. Looking at Li Ka-shing's past cases, he seems to have a knack for foreseeing problems and avoiding pitfalls in advance. Some people completely lack critical thinking; when Li Ka-shing was selling domestic assets, they criticized him for selling out the country, and now that he is selling foreign ports, they also criticize him for selling out the country. I hope readers can understand the decision-making logic behind his actions and strive to be informed individuals in the business world.
Many people criticize Li Ka-shing from a moral high ground of national and ethnic interests, yet they adhere to the theory that "capital comes into the world dripping blood from every pore." Such people are either foolish or malicious, and in real life, it’s best to keep a distance from them.
They believe that as long as they wave a banner of justice, they can disregard others' property rights, ignore the law, and point fingers at others' businesses. What is property rights? It is the right of the property owner to possess, use, dispose of, and benefit from their property. In other words, if someone wants to sell their own belongings, what business is it of yours? Many people may not own ports but have houses, so let’s use houses as an example. If you want to sell your house to someone I dislike, can I tell you that you cannot sell? Would you listen to me? Many people's logical reasoning is quite amusing.
I have always believed that one should do their own job well. If you are a teacher, strive to educate well; if you are a knight, do your duty to protect the castle; if you are a businessman, work hard to manage your business and maximize profits for your shareholders and employees, that’s all there is to it.
Li Ka-shing is a businessman who must be accountable to his shareholders and investors, and of course, he must consider issues from a business perspective. If he feels he can make money, he will plan ahead; if he senses losses, he will retreat in advance. The primary duty of a businessman is to ensure the normal operation of their enterprise, which allows employees to earn a living, shareholders to receive returns, and to pay taxes to the state. If an entrepreneur can manage a business well, that is the greatest contribution to society.
In summary, Li Ka-shing is a successful businessman and a qualified entrepreneur. I admire his forward-thinking strategic vision and have no doubt about the choices he makes.
Lastly, here’s a joke:
A reporter asked an old farmer, "The country needs you to donate your house, would you be willing?" The old farmer said, "I would." "What if they need you to donate your car?" The old farmer said, "I would." "What about donating two cows?" The old farmer said, "I wouldn't." The reporter asked, "Why? You are willing to donate your house and car." The old farmer replied, "Because I really have two cows."
This is for those who harshly criticize Li Ka-shing as a traitor and shout about wanting to go to war every day. You should keep your distance from such people, because one day when lightning strikes, it might involve you too.