Hong Kong’s richest, Li Ka-shing, publicly commented about the ongoing unrest while attending an event at a local monastery, pleading for the government to give the city’s «future owners» a way out.
«I wish Hong Kong people can get through these difficult times together,» Li said in a video circulated among local media, where he is seen publicly taking the mic before an audience. «I hope the younger generation will comprehend the bigger picture and the government will give the future owners of Hong Kong a way out.»
According to Li, the current movement is the most shocking event Hong Kong faced since World War II and prolonging it further could affect the city’s future. He did not respond to questions about Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam’s response to protestor demands last week.
«Although there might be a conflict between law and human feelings, I hope both parties can put themselves in each other's shoes,» he added, while at the Tsz Shan Monastery, a renowned Li-funded project, reportedly praying with 1,000 Buddhist believers for Hong Kong. «A lot of big incidents can be turned into small incidents.»
Li’s public comments follow his own two full-page ads bought in local newspapers pleading for calm last month and his son’s seven-newspaper ad frenzy last week condemning protestor violence.
