Building on success in overseas markets

Tycoon wants to leave a lasting presence with big-ticket projects

Yan Jiehe is often considered a different entity in the world of conventional business and entrepreneurship. The former teacher, big time developer and one of China's richest men is someone who is not afraid to speak his mind, irrespective of the stage. But the founder of China's largest private company Pacific Construction Group is also an outstanding entrepreneur and business leader known for his thoughtful, often innovative approach.

It is not uncommon to see the 54-year-old Yan going hammer and tongs against government policies in front of hundreds of reporters and even senior government officials. Yan, often referred to as "the maddest Chinese man on the planet", said he is not ashamed of the reference and uses it when talking to guests like former US president Bill Clinton, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, former British prime minister Gordon Brown, former German chancellor Gerhard Schroder, former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan and so on.