Rich entrepreneur in Central Committee "largely symbolic" - Rupert Hoogewerf

Rupert Hoogewerf

When Liang Wengen, currently China's richest entrepreneur, is voted next year into the Central Committee, that is largely a symbolic move, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between the Communist Party and private entrepreneurs, tells Rupert Hoogewerf or Hurun in CNN.

CNN:

Rupert Hoogewerf, who has served as chief researcher for Hurun Rich list for many years, says Liang's expected election into the Central Committee is largely symbolic. He points out that the private sector is "clearly an important player now in the economy as a whole," creating new jobs and paying substantial taxes. "It is a symbiotic relationship," he says. "They help each other out." 

If Liang is elected next year, Hoogewerf adds, his new political status will be a morale boost for China's private sector and may also benefit his company, the Sany Group., which Liang founded in 1989. It will not be the first time for Liang to work with the ruling party. He and his company have been involved in high-profile partnerships with the Chinese government. 

"It wasn't a coincidence that Sany was in Chile to rescue the trapped miners last year," Hoogewerf tells CNN. "The Chinese government offered to help and Liang was the person asked to make it happen on behalf of the government. It was a big thing."

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Rupert Hoogewerf is the founder of the China Rich list and speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch.

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