China Billionaire Gifts Elderly Hometown Villagers RM6,100 Each For Funding His Education
Richard Liu Qiangdong’s relationship with Guangming Village is profoundly personal.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 15 Jan 2025, 04:17 PM
Since 2016, Chinese billionaire Richard Liu Qiangdong has been generously gifting villagers in his hometown ahead of the Lunar New Year
The founder of China's leading e-commerce giant JD.com hails from Guangming Village in China's Jiangsu province and is the world's 427th richest man.
This year, the 50-year-old distributed 10,000 yuan (RM6,145) in cash to every villager aged over 60, according to the South China Morning Post.
In addition, households received gifts including food, clothing, and home appliances, reflecting his deep gratitude towards the community that supported him during his humble beginnings.
Liu's relationship with Guangming Village is profoundly personal
As a young man from a struggling family, he received donations totalling just 500 yuan (RM307) and 76 eggs from his neighbours to help fund his university education in Beijing in the 1990s.
Now worth an estimated 49.5 billion yuan (RM30.4 billion) according to last year's Hurun Global Rich List, Liu has never forgotten the kindness that set him on the path to success.
Since 2016, Liu has made regular visits to the village, often accompanied by his wife, Zhang Zetian.
This year, Liu gifted 1,400 households, with many elderly villagers receiving substantial financial support
While some online critics have questioned his motives, the overwhelming response has been positive.
A villager summed up the sentiment: "He has no obligation to do that. His money is also earned through hard work."
For Liu, this annual tradition is more than charity — it’s a heartfelt tribute to the village that shaped his journey.
