The Chinese internet’s morbid fixation with Li Ka-shing’s death rumours

(Edited and refined by Bai Kelei, with the assistance of AI translation.)

On Thursday (15 October), CK Asset Holdings dismissed rumours that 98-year-old Li Ka-shing, formerly Asia’s richest man, had died, saying there was “absolutely no truth” to them.

Li is the founder of CK Group and former chairman of CK Asset, and according to The Paper, rumours of his death circulated on Thursday. A source within CK Asset denied them in response to enquiries.

Ming Pao reported that CK Asset issued a statement on Thursday after some mainland Chinese independent online media outlets cited rumours that Li had died. The company said there was “absolutely no truth” to the claims and strongly condemned the outlets for fabricating fake news to attract attention and for ulterior motives.

CK Asset also expressed deep disappointment that media outlets had republished the false reports without verification. It urged the media and the public to verify the accuracy of information before reporting or sharing it.

Life after retirement and recent sightings

In 2018, Li announced his retirement at the age of 90 and subsequently stepped down as chairman of the group’s board, with his elder son Victor Li taking over. At the board’s request, he remained senior adviser to CK Group, but has rarely appeared in public since.

Li’s most recent appearance was last week. While attending the Forbes Global CEO Conference dinner in Singapore on 8 October, Horizons Ventures co-founder Solina Chau, whom the media regard as his “confidante”, made a video call to let Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speak with Li. She also held up her phone for Li to be included in a group photograph of the trio.

Before that, the most recent photograph of Li was posted on Facebook by the Li Ka Shing Foundation on 20 May this year. It showed him smiling as he drove a mobility scooter at a viewing platform on Victoria Peak, enjoying views of Victoria Harbour and appearing relaxed and sprightly.

In the Facebook post, the foundation also announced a new round of the “Love Can Help” medical programme devised by Li. It will include histotripsy treatment for 200 eligible liver cancer patients over the next three years.

Responding to the online rumours of his death, CK Asset’s public relations staff told Nandu N Video (南都N视频) that Li had no plans currently to make a public appearance to address them.

This article was first published in Lianhe Zaobao as “长实集团辟谣李嘉诚去世传闻” and “长实公关部工作人员：李嘉诚暂未有公开露面计划”.

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