Yan Qicheng

Nicknamed ‘Superman’, Li Ka-Shing is one of the most influential entrepreneurs in Asia. Born in 1928 in Chiu Chow, south-eastern China, Li left for Hong Kong with his family to avoid the perils of war. Forced to leave school before the age of 15, he worked in a plastics factory before starting his own company. Today, he is the 11th richest person in the world and his company, Cheung Kong, is influential in many sectors (including transportation, real estate, financial services, retail and energy). This is the story of an outstanding entrepreneur whose rise is legendary. China’s economic rise and influence has been one of the most significant developments in the global economy of recent times. The “China’s Entrepreneurs” series examines the major contribution to this development made by China’s leading private entrepreneurs and companies.