Hong Kong Needs Debate on Share-Class Rules, Exchange’s Li Says
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Hong Kong needs a debate on how to handle “innovative companies,” including whether to allow them to have multiple share classes, said Charles Li, head of the city’s stock exchange, after initial-offering talks with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. broke down last month.
Jack Ma, the billionaire founder of China’s largest e-commerce company, and his partners wanted to retain control after a Hong Kong listing through a partnership that would nominate a majority of board members. Hong Kong rules don’t permit such a structure. Alibaba Executive Vice Chairman Joseph Tsai said last month that the exchange operator should “adapt to future trends and changes.”