Caixin Online published a group of interviews with Li Xicheng, the richest man of Chinese people. The interviews were conducted by Caixin journalists headed by Hu Shuli at the end of 2013. Prior to that, Li Ka shing also gave an interview to the Southern Newspaper Department, including Southern Weekend. Li has rarely received interviews from many mainland media in person, and has talked about everything from political and economic trends to the operation with Huang Changshi to the future of science and technology. One of the major backgrounds is that there are four rumors of "divestment" from the mainland. Li Ka shing probably hopes to convey some positive information to the outside world and senior management by means of communication with the media.
Hu Xiu excerpted his views on science and technology in these two interviews as follows to see how a sharp "old money" feels the development trend of science and technology and new things:
There are 60 technology companies with private investment. Technology makes my mood younger
Southern Weekend: You have invested in many high-tech enterprises, including Facebook. You are 85 years old, how to invest in high-tech?
Li Ka shing: Can't you love science and technology at 85? I am deeply interested in new technology, which makes my mood younger.
The industrial revolution began in england in the 18th century; The 21st century is a revolution in science and technology. Many industries, including national defense industry, agriculture, water conservancy, energy, medical care, life science and technology, telecommunications, the Internet, and so on, have made breakthroughs. There are countless investment opportunities.
I like new technology. There are 60 technology companies with private investment, and I believe more and more that "knowledge changes destiny". There is a project about agriculture. The same soil, the same water source, and the same crop genes can increase the output by one third. If this is not a new technology, what is it? It has been proved that this new technology is successful and has been tested in China.
I like reading very much and pursue the latest scientific and technological knowledge. I pay close attention to the new information and development changes related to my industry. No matter what business you do, you must like it and love it, so that you can make progress.
How to balance the damage caused by technology?
Southern Weekend: But high technology can sometimes hurt people in the real economic world. In your mind, how to balance the damage caused by new technology?
Li Ka shing: Yes, new technology machines or instruments can replace workers. They are fast and productive. Hehuang's automation rate is 90% in Rotterdam Port, 60% in Spain and 20% in Hong Kong.
If workers' knowledge is improved through education, they can control these instruments. The acceleration of science and technology is the beginning of another revolution.
Earlier, at the invitation of Guangdong East Guangdong Overseas Chinese Expo, I recorded a speech in Chaozhou dialect, which mentioned that science and technology will dominate the future. As we all know, the speed of intelligent mechanization will exceed our imagination, making up the numbers will no longer be enough, and the era of "old cows milking" will no longer exist. The best way to defend the future is to invest in education and promote education reform, Let our next generation bid farewell to backwardness and participate in the future forever and forever, which is the common task of those with ability. It is really my sincere and emotional words.
The challenge of science and technology to the labor force is the next big opportunity.
Caixin reporter: In the past few decades, Hong Kong real estate is a big opportunity, then globalization is a big opportunity, and the outbreak of the Chinese market is the third big opportunity. You have seized all three opportunities. What is the next big opportunity?
Li Ka shing: Both the United States and the world have to face a practical problem, which is the challenge of science and technology to the labor force. The marginal labor force of grassroots labor can be zero.
Every company is dedicated to improving its competitiveness, using technology and data to open source, so how to cut costs? With the automation of industrial machinery, the demand for labor force is becoming less and less, and the unemployment of some types of work will only continue to increase, which is an issue we should attach great importance to. The only way out is to invest in education, promote reform, and cultivate the next generation's ability to solve problems, understand communication and other computer irreplaceable abilities.
There are two kinds of industries, and traditional businesses still exist. As for new technology, you must seize it immediately.
Take the manufacturing "improvement process" as an example. With technology, the production process will only be continuously optimized, which will bring great changes to the future manufacturing industry. Look at this cup. Now it is made by automation technology. If you add artificial intelligence technology, you can inject "thought" into the manufacturing process. It can tell you how to improve production.
In the past, wages were cheap and land was cheap, but now it may not be an absolute advantage. As far as China's manufacturing industry is concerned, it is now facing many challenges; Recently, there is a kind of children's watch mobile phone (Myfilip) that communicates with mobile phones. The production process is only carried out in the office. With 1.8 million yuan of investment capital, it can meet the needs of 10000 products. There is no need to set up factories in China to reduce labor costs, because there are not many workers.
For another example, Kaiima, an Israeli company I partially invested in, has developed a new agricultural technology. With the same water and the same soil, the agricultural output can be increased by 30%. Without the use of transgenic technology, this is amazing! I had intended to help China win the first opportunity patent for five years and help increase agricultural production, but it was a pity that I didn't succeed in the end.
In Israel, the local soil is not very good, so the local people said, "If the land cannot nourish us, we will nourish the land with our heads."
Ma Yun is young and promising
Caixin reporter: There are many disputes about Alibaba's listing in Hong Kong. Many people believe that the AB share system or what Alibaba calls the partnership system is not conducive to protecting the rights and interests of minority shareholders. Many people also support Ma Yun's view that only the founders really care about the future of the enterprise. As an outstanding business leader, how do you view the relationship between founders and investors? What kind of governance structure can keep the benign development of the enterprise?
Li Ka shing: First of all, I will not comment on the decision and operation of HKEx.
In addition, Mr. Ma Yun is young and promising. For our nation, the most important thing is to have outstanding entrepreneurs from generation to generation who can invest in society and promote social progress. When I see successful Chinese entrepreneurs, I can only applaud them. Just as a friend is far and accurate when playing golf, we will also shout: "Good ball!"
Today's Internet boom is different from that in 2000. All walks of life should pay close attention to the change of operation
Caixin reporter: You have a lot of investment in new technology. How do you comment on the latest round of global Internet enterprise M&A? As far as the capital market is concerned, the valuation of these high-tech enterprises is already very high. Some people think there will be dot com bubble burst around 2000. What do you think of this?
Li Ka shing: I personally believe that today's science and technology field is driving the actual changes in all walks of life. This change is fundamentally different from that in 2000. When I talked with many young entrepreneurs, I found that they had great enthusiasm and changed the "world" we know. They often ask themselves a question: "If today's industry can start again, will we operate in today's mode?" Changing the way of operation with technology is a great motivation, especially those options that can bring more efficient, more accurate operation, and more affordable and beautiful products to the current situation! All walks of life should pay close attention to changes in operation.
