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Five Chinese billionaires turned philanthropists

Shanghai, China at night.

Five Chinese billionaries who are transforming philanthropy.

As we usher in the Chinese New Year, we’re taking a look at five Chinese billionaires making an impact with their philanthropy.

Our Wealth Intelligence Database contains information about over 270,000 high-net-worth and well-connected individuals based in the UK and is updated daily. If 2024 is the year you want to discover your fundraising potential, we can help.

Chen Laiwa

$4.6B 2023 China Rich List Net Worth

Chen Laiwa is the founder and chairman of Fuwah International Group, one of Beijing’s largest real estate developers. She is one of the richest women in China and, according to Forbes, one of the 101 female billionaires who are self-made.

Chen left high school early to start her own furniture repair business, which became successful enough for her to buy 12 villas. She went on to found the Fuwah International Group in the early 1990s.

She invested 20 Billion Yuan into the launch of the China Red Sandalwood Museum in 1999 and has donated sandalwood works to museums around the world.

Liu Hanyuan

$9.25B 2023 China Rich List Net Worth

Liu Hanyuan leads China’s Tongwei Group, an eco-agriculture and new energy business.

Liu worked for the government before founding the Tongwei Group in 1992 as a fish feed supplier and diversifying into energy in 2013.

The Tongwei Group has funded the building of photovoltaic power generation systems in uninhabited areas in Qinghai and Tibet. Tongwei has also provided financial assistance to over 2,000 students and teachers in Sichuan through its Hope Project Award Fund and donated to Sichuan Agricultural University for the construction of lecture halls.

Sun Piaoyang

$8.8B 2023 China Rich List Net Worth

Sun Piaoyang is the chairman of Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, the largest listed pharmaceutical company in China.

Sun took over the formerly state-led Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine in 1990 when he was just 32 years old. Sun’s wife, Zhong Huijuan, is the chairwoman and CEO of Hansoh Pharmaceutical and the richest self-made woman in the world.

Sun Piaoyang and Zhong Huijuan were featured on the Huran Philanthropy List in 2019 for their contributions to medical aid.

Lei Jun

$10.8B 2023 China Rich List Net Worth

Lei Jun is a Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 2010 he co-founded Xiaomi, one of the world’s most popular smartphone brands.

Lei has donated over $1 billion to charity. In 2023, he donated 1.3 billion yuan ($182.5 million) to Wuhan University, the largest-ever individual donation to a university in China.

Zhao Yan

$3.92B 2023 China Rich List Net Worth

Zhao Yan is the chairman and CEO of Bloomage Biotechnology founded in 2000 and best known for making hyaluronic acid. Zhao has also launched skincare brands and sells hyaluronic acid-infused products.

Bloomage Biotechnology has a strong social responsibility programme, providing disaster relief and free eye, bone and skin treatment for underserved communities in China.

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