Zhang Shiping
Zhang Shiping (Chinese: 张士平; 25 November 1946[2] – 23 May 2019) was a Chinese entrepreneur. He oversaw the rise of China Hongqiao Group to become the world's biggest aluminum producer[3] and was dubbed China's "Aluminum King".[4] On May 23, 2019, Zhang died of an unspecified illuness according to the official announcement of his hometown Zouping county in Shandong province.[4]
Zhang Shiping | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 November 1946 China |
| Died | 23 May 2019 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Education | Anhui University of Finance and Economics |
| Occupation | CEO, China Hongqiao Group |
| Known for | Founder, Weiqiao Textile |
| Net worth | $5.9 billion (July 2017)[1] |
| Spouse(s) | married |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
Zhang Shiping was born in 1946.[5] He received a degree in cotton testing from Anhui University of Finance and Economics.[6]
Career
Zhang Shiping founded Weiqiao Textile, the world's largest cotton-textile maker, which is now headed by his daughter Zhang Hongxia.[1]
In 1981 when Zhang was 35, he was promoted to general manager of Zuoping's No. 5 Cotton Ginning plant. In 1994, he and other managers established their own cotton -processing business called Weiqiao Textile Co.[6] It later became the world's largest cotton-yarn and denim maker and listed in Hong Kong in 2003.[6] Zhang decided to move to aluminum industry. The move led to an aggressive expansion of the company, and the company was later renamed China Hongqiao Group Ltd.[6] Hongqiao surpassed Russian titan United Co. Rusal and China's SOE Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. to become the largest producer in the world[6][3] and was listed in Hong Kong in 2011.[3] According to Forbes estimates, Zhang's net worth is $4.7 billion, ranking 484th in Forbes Billionaires 2019 list.[3]
Personal life
He was married with three children and lived in Binzhou, China.[1]
Zhang Shiping Memorial Hall
Zhang Shiping Memorial Hall, inaugurated on May 23, 2020 in the occasion of the first anniversary of his passing, is located in Weiqiao Pioneering Cultural Square.[7] It is a carefully designed memorial with 73 annual rings in the square that symbolize his 73 years of life, 18 annual rings in the inner circle symbolizing his work at the age of 18, and 55 annual rings in the outer circle which symbolize his 55 years of career.
The memorial hall implies "the stage in the landscape, the lighthouse in the dense forest", symbolizing that the former chairman is like a towering lighthouse, guiding the direction of the enterprise.
The main building area of the memorial hall is 3500 square meters. The memorial hall includes Preface Hall, Big Tree Hall, Life Track Hall and Industry Hall showing the course of hard work and entrepreneurship, as well as Management Theory Hall, Mission Hall, Entrustment Hall, True Qualities Hall and Ending Hall showing the enterpriser's unremitting struggle spirit. The memorial hall comprehensively and multi dimensionally displays the former chairman’s legend of "start business for the country and bring benefits to the people", and interprets his family and country feelings of serving the country through industry and striving for a lifetime.
References
- "Zhang Shiping". Forbes. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
- "*ST鲁丰：于荣强拟19.95亿元出让控股权 张士平成新实控人-公告解读-上市公司-上海证券报·中国证券网". ggjd.cnstock.com. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- "China aluminum magnate Zhang Shiping dies aged 73". Reuters. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- "China's 'Aluminum King' Dies at 72 - Caixin Global". www.caixinglobal.com. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- "China Rich List 2014". Hurun. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
- Cang, Alfred (23 May 2019). "Bloomberg: Chinese Tycoon Who Shook Up Global Aluminum Industry Dies at 73".
- "The memorial ceremony for the first anniversary of the death of former chairman Zhang Shiping and the unveiling ceremony of his memorial hall were held".