Li Ka-shing ruled out of post 1997 government head

LI KA-SHING has ruled himself out the running to be Hong Kong's first post-1997 government head . . . and hinted that there was no bad blood between him and another contender for chief executive, Wheelock boss Peter Woo Kwong-ching.

'I have told Chinese leaders personally that they should not be looking for people like Li Ka-shing to become chief executive,' he said.

Asked whether that meant Mr Woo should be ruled out, Mr Li said: 'I have not targeted anyone.' But he argued that businessmen with big investments in the territory should not take the job because of the possible conflict of interests.

Mr Li refused to comment on the suitability of leading candidate, Chief Secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang.