Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-05-13 01:35Core Viewpoint - Li Ka-shing's Cheung Kong Group has responded to the controversy surrounding its port transaction, emphasizing that the $22.8 billion deal involving 43 global ports will comply with legal and regulatory requirements [3][12]. Group 1: Company Response - Cheung Kong Group announced that details of the port transaction, originally set to be disclosed at the shareholder meeting on May 22, were released early due to intense inquiries from shareholders and media [3]. - The company reiterated that the transaction would not occur under any illegal or non-compliant circumstances, referencing a previous announcement from March 4 regarding the need for legal and shareholder approvals [3]. Group 2: Market Reaction - The announcement triggered significant public interest, with the topic "Li Ka-shing sells port, Cheung Kong issues statement" trending on social media platforms like Baidu [7]. - Li Ka-shing's rare public appearance coincided with media inquiries about the port sale, where he responded politely but did not elaborate on the matter [6]. Group 3: Industry Analysis - Analysts suggest that the company's statement, while intended to clarify, redirects attention to the implications of capital decisions amid U.S.-China tensions [12]. - The timing of the announcement aligns with U.S. policy changes aimed at reducing drug prices, indicating a broader context of global economic shifts and potential repercussions in antitrust and national security areas [14].