Asia's richest man voices support for Xi

Li Ka-shing, Asia's richest man, voiced support for President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, as the Hong Kong tycoon rejected claims he was divesting assets from the mainland and turning his back on it.

Li overhauled his business empire in January to create two listed companies - one focused on property and the other on telecoms. This saw a shift in the incorporated base of his two main firms to the Cayman Islands from Hong Kong, fueling speculation the tycoon was pulling out of the mainland.

In an e-mailed news release sent on Tuesday, Li said he resolutely supported China's path to reform and opening-up.