China's richest man lays out his Plans for Europe, UK

Wang Jianlin, chairman of Wanda Group, delivers a speech at the Ninth Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, on Jan 18, 2016.[Photo/IC]

Highlights:

**The UK has always been part of Europe, and it will not leave the European Union after a referendum on continued membership on June 23, said Wang.

**China is going through the challenge of an economic transformation. There are difficulties for traditional industries, but sectors such as tourism, sport and entertainment offer opportunities, said Wang.

**Dalian Wanda Group has invested 1.2 billion pounds in the UK, building a hotel and residences on a site in London on the south bank of the River Thames.

Wang Jianlin, chairman of Dalian Wanda Group and the richest man in China, said his organization is hoping to set up its European headquarters in the UK and outlined plans for investment in Europe.

He said he was currently negotiating a large project, which would generate about 10,000 jobs, although he wouldn't say where or give any further details.

Wang also said Dalian Wanda would be making a major announcement of a large project in Europe, although again he wouldn't give any details.

Wang said it was his personal judgment that Britain will not leave the European Union after a referendum on continued membership on June 23.

He told an audience of mainly Chinese business students at the Said Business School, part of Oxford University, that he didn't believe it would happen.

"I don't think Britain will leave. That is my judgment. The UK has always been part of Europe, and it cannot live by itself. Don't listen to politicians – it is easy to exit, much more difficult to re-enter," Wang said during a half hour discourse.

"It would be difficult for Chinese visitors. It would affect the UK economy. So Britain will not leave. That is my personal judgment," he added.

Dalian Wanda Group has invested 1.2 billion pounds in the UK, building a hotel and residences on a site in London on the south bank of the River Thames, not far from the gleaming glass building the houses of MI5, Britain's intelligence service.