Li Ka Shing is Hong Kong's most famous billionaire, in a comity which produces five times the billionaire per capit than the USA. He made his move in the 1960s, the last time Hong Kong was rocked by regime related protests. This plastic flower maker reasoned that for all the complaints, Hong Kong was not going anywhere soon, so as Rothschilde advised, invest when the blood is flowing in the streets. Li bought when the rich were selling to get out.
Note that the rioters, mostly students, want Beijing rule.
Today Li is the one getting out, but today he is a rich man not a poor boy. What took great courage in 1967 to buy, takes as great courage today to sell. The fact that Li is selling is putting his entire empire on the line. Certainly the ChiComs note well his action. And the fact of the matter is the Communist Party could take down Li and his empire within fifteen minutes of deciding to do so. It takes guts to run those risks.
But Li also knows that China is a work in progress, countless factions and endless infighting, and he'll have his supporters and detractors in those fights. He is by the way offering some wealth redistribution as his action lower the prices on what he has, and is allowing some young turks with an eye to the future to invest well right now.
Not sure what the goal should be by the protesters, but I sure do not like the sound of "occupy central" since it is redolent of the USA occupy movement which was organized around not amelioration but "more free $#*+ for me", just as the Scotland vote was not about freedom but more gimmees. Who knows how a freedom vote might turn out in Scotland.
Here is a sample of the riots today. The irony this time is the rioters, mostly students, want to be free of Beijing. Bet this is largely youthful expression, and not existential.
A vote for governor which allows for the election of only the winners and runners up of a Beijing political beauty contest is not such a bad idea, as long as the directly elected LegCo in Hong Kong can impeach the same. Let Beijing essentially appoint a Lord Governor, it worked well enough when the Brits did it. Is Beijing any less than the UK?
Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.
Note that the rioters, mostly students, want Beijing rule.
Today Li is the one getting out, but today he is a rich man not a poor boy. What took great courage in 1967 to buy, takes as great courage today to sell. The fact that Li is selling is putting his entire empire on the line. Certainly the ChiComs note well his action. And the fact of the matter is the Communist Party could take down Li and his empire within fifteen minutes of deciding to do so. It takes guts to run those risks.
But Li also knows that China is a work in progress, countless factions and endless infighting, and he'll have his supporters and detractors in those fights. He is by the way offering some wealth redistribution as his action lower the prices on what he has, and is allowing some young turks with an eye to the future to invest well right now.
Not sure what the goal should be by the protesters, but I sure do not like the sound of "occupy central" since it is redolent of the USA occupy movement which was organized around not amelioration but "more free $#*+ for me", just as the Scotland vote was not about freedom but more gimmees. Who knows how a freedom vote might turn out in Scotland.
Here is a sample of the riots today. The irony this time is the rioters, mostly students, want to be free of Beijing. Bet this is largely youthful expression, and not existential.
A vote for governor which allows for the election of only the winners and runners up of a Beijing political beauty contest is not such a bad idea, as long as the directly elected LegCo in Hong Kong can impeach the same. Let Beijing essentially appoint a Lord Governor, it worked well enough when the Brits did it. Is Beijing any less than the UK?
Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.
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