As some well-timed property investments cemented his wealth, through the years Li expanded his empire beyond plastics manufacturing to retail, energy, telecommunications, media and biotechnology—often standing out for his good timing. There’s a Warren Buffett-like side to Li that keeps his businesses slow and steady, while mostly continuing to grow.

“He’s a consummate asset trader,” said Joe Studwell, author of the books “Asian Godfathers” and “How Asia Works.” “When he buys, you can be sure that something is cheap. And when he sells, you can be sure it is fully valued.’’

While the assets held by his main listed units are in relatively more stable sectors like infrastructure and property, Li’s early technology investments show his acumen: Facebook Inc., Siri before it was acquired by Apple Inc. and Spotify Ltd. Li said he has invested in almost 60 new technology companies, and “whenever there are successes, I put all the money back into the foundation.”

Analyst firm Morningstar Inc. agrees there should be no disruption when the elder Li hands over to Victor, pointing to CK Hutchison’s businesses having been “run by a team of professional managers for several years. Mr. Li’s retirement would not change our revenue and earnings assumptions on the underlying businesses.”

Li’s unique ability to see opportunities where others see challenges is still waiting to be demonstrated as an inherited trait in Victor.

“Without Li Ka-shing overseeing his corporate empire, we might start to see more of the ‘plastic’ and less of the ‘flowers’ that originally catapulted him ahead," said Mark Mihorean, who teaches business at HKUST.

For now, Li, whose birthday is July 29, hasn’t set a timetable for stepping back. Sporting a tan during the interview, he said he still plays golf two to three times a week, and is “happy” continuing as chairman of his companies.

“Even now I’m still going strong,” he said. “When I retire, I won’t go fishing. I will put even more time into the foundation.”

Li appeared visibly thinner than in the past, but he brushed off concerns about his health, saying he’s still fit and hale, peppering the interview with laughter.

“I’m lucky now, I’m quite healthy,” Li said. “I’ve sat here for quite a long time and I still remember what to say.”