Superman-cape handover: Li Ka-shing
① Unlike many of Asia's greying tycoons, Hong Kong's most celebrated dealmaker has been preparing for today for years.
② When Mr Li steps down as chairman of CK Hutchison, after the annual general meeting of the ports-to-perfume conglomerate, most expect a seamless transition.
③ His eldest son Victor Li, who has worked for the company since the 1990s, was anointed his successor in 2012.
④ A few years later his father shook up his sprawling empire—some think with the handover in mind.
⑤ And at a press conference in March announcing his withdrawal, the 89-year-old Mr Li frequently interrupted his son to field questions himself.
⑥ Superman, as Hong Kongers call him for his financial acumen, is unlikely to fly off into the sunset.
⑦ He says he wants to focus on his charitable foundation, to which he has pledged one-third of his $34bn fortune: "I will don a new battle suit."
▍生词好句
cape /keɪp/: n. 斗篷;披风
handover /ˈhandəʊvə/: n. 移交
greying /ˈɡreɪɪŋ/: adj. 正在变老的;花白色的
tycoon /tʌɪˈkuːn/: n.(商业)大亨
celebrated /ˈsɛlɪbreɪtɪd/: adj. 著名的
conglomerate /kənˈɡlɒm(ə)rət/: n. 大型集团
seamless transition /ˈsiːmləs/: 无缝过渡/转换
anoint /əˈnɔɪnt/: vt. 指定……为继承人;涂油使……神圣化
successor /səkˈsɛsə/: n. 继承人
sprawling /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/: adj. 复杂的;蔓延的
press conference: 新闻发布会
withdrawal /wɪðˈdrɔː(ə)l/: n. 退出;退休
field /fiːld/: vt. 应付;应对问题
acumen /ˈakjʊmən, əˈkjuːmən/: n. 敏锐;精明
pledge /plɛdʒ/: vt. 许诺;承诺
don /dɒn/: vt. 披上;穿上
▍补充
1. tycoon
Jack Ma is an e-commerce tycoon.
2. grey
The population is getting old.
The population is greying.
3. 公司
事务所 firm
公司(通称)company
集团 corporate/group
财团 consortium
大型集团 conglomerate
4. field
He fielded the questions skillfully.