Businessman tops international philanthropy lists

Huang Rulun, who started his career in the era of reform, has become famous as a real estate magnate and an author of a book explaining his approach to combining China's traditional cultural theories with his personal experiences in business.

In recent years, he has earned another title: philanthropist.

Huang, 58, is the board chairman of China real estate giant Century Golden Resources Group, which has long been involved in real estate, hotels, shopping malls, mine exploration and finance industries in China.

This year, the entrepreneur topped both the China Philanthropist List issued by the Hurun Report and the Forbes List of the world's leading philanthropists.

According to the Hurun Report, Huang donated more than 850 million yuan from 2008 through this April to educational and social welfare programs across the country.

In the past five years, according to the Hurun Report, Huang has donated 1.45 billion yuan to education, social welfare, poverty reduction and other causes.

Indeed, Huang has maintained the top spot on the China Philanthropist List for six years. The list is ranked by the China Philanthropy Times, a newspaper under the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

"My wealth should not belong only to myself," Huang said.

"It is hard to separate my success in business from helping society. So as my business expands rapidly, it is increasingly necessary to share my wealth with society," Huang was quoted by China Philanthropy Times as saying during a recent interview.

Rupert Hoogewerf, founder of the Hurun Report, said Huang's acts in philanthropic causes have become a symbol of China's philanthropy industry, as he has inspired an increasing number of other business leaders to take part in those efforts.

"Huang is a leader among the country's private entrepreneurs. Under Huang's leadership, China's private enterprises have taken an active role in social causes and become a key force of charity in the nation," Hoogewerf said.

Successful business

After growing up in a small fishing village in East China's Fujian province, Huang made his first donation to support educational programs in his hometown in 1993, when he set up his Fujian Golden Industry Group.

"I underwent a disadvantaged life during my childhood. Because I was poor, I could not afford to finish my studies when I was young," Huang said.

After becoming successful in business, he said his goal was to help children in his hometown return to the classroom to finish their studies.

From 1993 to 2000, while Huang focused his business in Fujian, he also centered his charity activities in that region, with education programs attracting most of his attention.

As Huang's business operations expanded to China's eastern and central cities, his donations also expanded to those regions.

To date, under the leadership of Huang, the China Century Golden Resources Group and his charitable donations have reached Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai municipalities, as well as Fujian, Yunnan, Hunan and Guizhou provinces.

Huang helped build schools, libraries, hospitals and rest houses across China, and he established scholarships and foundations to help orphans and elderly people.

His real estate expertise also led him to support charitable causes helping to develop China's underdeveloped rural areas.

"To me, wealth is just a symbol and some numbers, and my wealth is enough for my children to share. So the best method for me is to share my wealth with the country's large number of needy people," Huang said.

For example, after finishing a large real estate project in Yunnan province last year, Huang announced a donation of 181.16 million yuan to that province.

The donation will support local cow plants, combat desertification and help 3,000 students from Yunnan University of Nationalities finish their studies.

"To date, it is the largest private donation Yunnan province has received," said Qin Guangrong, governor of southwestern China's Yunnan province.

Benevolent influence

Huang's benevolent acts also have influenced his son, Huang Tao, president of Century Golden Resource Group.

In Huang Tao's office hangs a picture made by his father. The words, "The principle of being a king is to share love with people around the world," are on that picture.

"Learning from my father, I know that to be a successful businessman and operate a successful corporation, I should do more than simply make money," Huang Tao was quoted by China Philanthropy Times as saying.

As the president of China Century Golden Resources Group, Huang Tao took over his father's business and also began devoting himself to philanthropic activities in China.

Fan Baojun, president of China's largest charitable organization, the China Charity Federation, praised Huang Rulun and his son.

"China's philanthropic causes need more people like Huang Rulun sharing his love with needy people, and passing on his benevolent heart from one generation to the next," Fan said.

(China Daily 09/07/2009 page8)