Chinese Communist Party Criticizes Li Ka-shing Two Days in a Row in Hong Kong, Angering Overseas Netizens

Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka-shing’s company, Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (CKI), is selling its port business, including the Panama Canal, to an American company. The Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Ta Kung Pao, following its scathing article on Li Ka-shing two days ago which was reprinted by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, published another critical piece today, triggering outrage among overseas netizens who slammed the Chinese Communist Party.

Ta Kung Pao, controlled by the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, issued an article titled “Great Entrepreneurs are Patriotic” on March 15, directly warning CKI that choosing to dance with American politicians and go against the tide will eventually carry a historical stigma. The article emphasized the importance of “safeguarding national interests” and made a comparison with Huawei’s Ren Zhengfei.

Previously, the media had published a commentary on the 13th titled “Don’t Be Naive, Don’t Be Confused”, severely criticizing CKI’s transaction with the United States. The article was reshared by the Chinese Communist Party’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, seen as reflecting Beijing’s intentions.

The latest article from Ta Kung Pao has sparked a collective backlash among netizens on overseas platforms:

“What does the port of the Panama Canal have to do with national interests? The country mentioned here can’t possibly be Panama, right!” “They are losing their temper.” “It’s evident they are desperate.” “The Panama Canal was never yours, so what do you mean by dancing with American politicians! It’s only you evil Communist Party members who are distorting the truth!”

Some netizens remarked, “If a country’s economy relies on political loyalty for ‘stability,’ its collapse isn’t far off.” Others criticized Ta Kung Pao as a disgrace to Hong Kong, stating, “Dancing with American politicians has been done by past leaders, and it is an important reason why China is prosperous today.”

Concerns were raised for Li Ka-shing, with one netizen saying, “Let old Li experience the baptism of the proletarian cultural revolution.” Another expressed the difficulty of doing business in this era without pleasing both sides and worried about the impact on mainland assets from such transactions.

Netizens voiced support for Li Ka-shing’s collaboration with the United States to counteract Communist Party infiltration, believing it would secure his legacy and benefit future generations.

The animosity towards Li Ka-shing from the Chinese Communist Party was highlighted by a netizen who commented, “The Chinese Communist Party holds a grudge against Li Ka-shing, using national honor as an excuse to attack and smear him.”

The ongoing event prompted discussions on distinguishing between the Communist Party and China: “China is often morally blackmailed by the Communist Party, but in fact, loving China and loving the Communist Party are completely different things.”

Particular attention was brought to past contributions made by Li Ka-shing to China’s reform and opening-up, with netizens criticizing the attack on him as a failure to honor commitments.

Professor Yao Yuan Yeh from St. Thomas University’s International Studies Program suggested that the recent events signal a possible trend of Hong Kong-owned private enterprises swiftly relocating or selling off assets due to the escalating political climate. This could lead to a rush for buyers to make acquisitions now to avoid future restrictions under Communist Party control.

Associate Professor Chen Shih-min from the Department of Political Science at Taiwan University warned that the Communist Party’s harsh criticism of Li Ka-shing could impact Hong Kong businessmen. Internationally, Hong Kong is seen as being under Chinese Communist Party control, leading to the perception that Hong Kong businessmen represent the Party’s interests. This makes it increasingly challenging for Hong Kong businessmen to independently negotiate for the city’s commercial interests on a global scale.