Rags to riches
The thriving economy of Chongqing has provided opportunities for many people to realize their dreams. Three of them share their rags-to-riches stories with China Daily.
General of the bangbang army: Liu Xiaoxiao
In his spacious office in downtown Chongqing, this small, slender man with a pair of hefty eyeglasses perched on his nose looks too weak to carry any weight on his shoulders. But 15 years ago, Liu Xiaoxiao was a member of the bangbang army - the term used for rural porters who sling freight over bamboo poles, which they hoist on their shoulders.
Because of his lanky appearance and poor eyesight, Liu would often fail to make a cent for several days when he worked as a porter. But now, he runs a company whose name incorporates the famous local slang Bangbang Jun or Bangbang Army. His company gives jobs to some 110 porters, providing services that range from helping families move to new houses to sending logistics.
"When I was a bangbang man, I got the idea to set up a company for my peer," Liu told China Daily. "I had a very strong will to change my life."
In 1998, Liu and his friends borrowed 100,000 yuan ($12,500) to establish a small company with only five employees. Nine years later, the company owns 12 vans and two large office flats in the downtown area.
Hot pot queen: He Yongzhi
The 54-year-old He Yongzhi - dubbed the "Hot Pot Queen" by local media - loves to show off her pictures and is about to publish a photo album about her family and her Little Swan Group, which owns the most famous hot pot brand in China.
She founded the first regional hot pot association in China and has retained her leadership post for six years.
In 25 years, Little Swan has grown from a three-table restaurant into a large business group worth some 960 million yuan ($125 million) thanks to her innovation and hard work.
On June 13, two world venture capital institutions Sequoia Capital China and Susquehanna International Group (SIG) signed agreement with He's hot pot company to help it become a world-class restaurant group.
Road warrior: Yin Mingshan
He believes he's never too old to learn. The 69-year-old motor tycoon started his business when he was 55 and started making cars when he was 65. "I am just now in the prime of my career," said Yin Mingshan, president of China's largest motorcycle manufacturer, the Lifan Group.
The scholarly looking man worked as an editor in a local publishing house. When he founded Lifan in 1992, he knew almost nothing about motorcycle engines. By 2006, Lifan has produced more than 10 million motorcycles and engines with an export volume of $1 billion. In January 2006, Lifan made its first sedan.
Besides manufacturing, Yin is also passionate about football and charity work. He owns the city's only Chinese prime league football club and has donated more than 50 million yuan to various charities.
(China Daily 06/21/2007 page22)
