Question 1

True or false: Li Ka-shing started his business empire with a plastics flower factory.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1950, he founded Cheung Kong Industries, a small plastic flower and toy manufacturer, which later grew into a global conglomerate spanning ports, telecom, and real estate.

Question 2

True or false: Li Ka-shing retired as chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings in 2018.

Accepted Answer

True. In March 2018, Li Ka-shing announced his retirement, stepping down as chairman of CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings in May 2018.

Question 3

True or false: Li Ka-shing’s net worth once exceeded that of the Queen of England.

Accepted Answer

True. Li Ka-shing's peak net worth exceeded $35 billion, far surpassing Queen Elizabeth II's personal fortune, which was estimated at around $500 million.

Question 4

True or false: Li Ka-shing is the sole owner of the Panama Canal.

Accepted Answer

False. His company Hutchison Whampoa operated ports at both ends of the canal for decades, but the Panama Canal itself is owned and managed by the Panamanian government.

Question 5

True or false: Li Ka-shing was born in a wealthy banking family in Hong Kong.

Accepted Answer

False. He was born into a poor family in China, fled to Hong Kong during WWII, and started work at a plastics factory at age 15 after his father died.

Question 6

True or false: Li Ka-shing started his first business at the age of 22, producing plastic flowers.

Accepted Answer

True. Li Ka-shing founded Cheung Kong Industries in 1950, manufacturing plastic flowers, marking the start of his business empire at age 22.

Question 7

True or false: Li Ka-shing once owned a majority stake in Facebook.

Accepted Answer

False. He owned a 3% stake, not a majority. Majority means over 50%.

Question 8

True or false: Li Ka-shing donated a billion dollars to found a university in his hometown.

Accepted Answer

False. He founded Shantou University in Guangdong, China, and has donated over HK$10 billion to it, but not a single billion-dollar gift; it was built over many years.

Li Ka-shing Trivia Questions