Forbes Releases New Li Ka-Shing Photos as CK Hutchison Denies Death Rumors
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 13 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
CK Hutchison Holdings and its property arm Cheung Kong Property firmly denied rumors of Li Ka-shing's death that spread across mainland Chinese social media on October 15, 2026. The conglomerate issued an official statement declaring the death reports "absolutely not the case" while strongly condemning mainland self-media outlets for spreading "sensationalist and ill-intentioned" fake news . The denial came as Forbes magazine released new photographs showing Li appearing healthy and smiling via video link with his associates. Sina Finance had previously amplified the false claims by reposting a mainland self-media article that falsely attributed the death report to Hong Kong's Ta Kung Pao newspaper . The 98-year-old tycoon, who stepped down as chairman in 2018, has faced similar health rumors twice this year, with both instances quickly debunked by photographic evidence of his wellbeing .
Key Points
- Cheung Kong Property issued a statement on October 15 declaring death rumors "absolutely not the case" and strongly condemning mainland self-media for spreading fake news .
- Sina Finance reposted the false claim while falsely attributing it to Ta Kung Pao newspaper, which the conglomerate said never published such a report .
- Forbes magazine released new photos on October 15 from its October 7-8 Global CEO Conference in Singapore, showing Li Ka-shing via video call smiling and in good health .
- Li appeared in the Forbes photos through a video call with Zhou K Wexuan and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who were attending the Singapore event together .
- Li's most recent in-person public appearance was May 20, 2026, when the Li Ka Shing Foundation announced a new Histotripsy cancer treatment program .
- In February 2026, similar rumors of Li being critically ill spread online, prompting media to gather at hospitals, but were debunked when a photo emerged of Li chatting cheerfully with gastroenterologist Dr. Hui Wai-mo .
- Li was photographed in May driving an Israeli-designed electric mobility scooter on The Peak while wearing a blue vest and white long-sleeve shirt, appearing energetic and in good spirits .
- The electric mobility scooter Li was photographed using in May has a minimum listed price of HK$28,800 according to online sources .
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the vulnerability of Hong Kong's business establishment to misinformation campaigns on mainland social media platforms, where false rumors can spread rapidly and potentially affect market confidence . CK Hutchison's swift and forceful denial, combined with the strategic release of fresh photographs, demonstrates how corporate communications must now actively combat fake news in the digital age to protect shareholder and public perceptions . The repetition of health rumors targeting Li Ka-shing underscores the ongoing challenge of managing corporate reputation when baseless claims can go viral within hours across regional media channels .
The incident highlights the vulnerability of Hong Kong's business establishment to misinformation campaigns on mainland social media platforms, where false rumors can spread rapidly and potentially affect market confidence . CK Hutchison's swift and forceful denial, combined with the strategic release of fresh photographs, demonstrates how corporate communications must now actively combat fake news in the digital age to protect shareholder and public perceptions . The repetition of health rumors targeting Li Ka-shing underscores the ongoing challenge of managing corporate reputation when baseless claims can go viral within hours across regional media channels .