Interviewee: Richard Li
Event: Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing Inauguration Ceremony
Date: October 20, 2007

Richard Li Tzar Kai is chairman of PCCW Limited, Hong Kong’s largest provider of communications services in Hong Kong and a leader in the information industry. The world’s first major IPTV service was launched by PCCW in 2003, and it eventually became the world’s largest commercial deployment.

In 2006, PCCW launched its 3G service in Hong Kong, delivering the world’s first real-time broadcast mobile TV service to 3G users. Another company under PCCW, PCCW Solutions, employs 2,000 people in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) industry. PCCW Solutions created the highly-praised Smart ID Card System that has efficiently integrated Hong Kong’s mass transit system.

Richard Li first major venture was STAR TV, Asia’s first satellite-delivered cable-TV service, which he launched in 1990. By 1993, Star TV had a viewership of 45 million. Richard Li eventually sold STAR TV to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. His next move was forming the Pacific Century group of companies, including PCCW Limited.

Through the creation of Cyberport, Richard Li elevated Hong Kong’s IT presence by working with the government, tertiary institutions and the corporate sector. PCCW itself funded several technology start-ups, and PCCW’s broadband research resulted the success of IPTV and mobile television.

Richard Li is a member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ International Councilors Group, the Global Information Infrastructure Commission, and also serves as a Council Member of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is also a full member of The Hong Kong Computer Society.

Richard Li is the son of Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka Shing. In his personal life, Richard Li is a licensed pilot and a licensed dive master.