Opinion | Interview reveals Li Ka-shing's past political thoughts

Many wondered why Asia's richest man, Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa chairman Li Ka-shing chose the mainland media, rather than a Hong Kong outlet, to reveal many of his inner thoughts and rebut accusations about his group's "withdrawal from Hong Kong".

Another puzzle was why Li was expressing his interest in politics now.

"If I could turn back time and restart [my life], maybe I might have chosen to participate in politics," Li told the Guangzhou-based Nanfang Group reporters.

Wow. What a statement. But when readers tried to find out what Li really meant, to the disappointment of many, he did not elaborate further. It was also disappointing that the reporters had no follow-up questions.

Li was very open and set the tone of the interview by saying that he was willing to answer whatever questions were raised, which he did. He even touched on a long-time taboo - the kidnapping of his elder son. It was therefore a great pity that the reporters did not press Li further as to what his political interests would have been.

Time is a river of no return that no one can reverse, regardless of how powerful one is. That may partly explain Li's sentimental remarks about not getting involved in politics in his early years. But why didn't he? We will never know, unless there is a chance to ask him again.

Some guessed Li might have been hinting that he should have run for the post of Hong Kong's first chief executive like two of the then candidates with a business background - Tung Chee-hwa and Peter Woo Kwong-ching. Tung, who was from a shipping business family, won the top job and served as the chief executive for seven years, but had an extremely hard time and resigned before he could finish his second term.