Liu Han, Chinese businessman and philanthropist (b. 1965)

Liu Han: The Billionaire Tycoon and His Criminal Empire

Liu Han (Chinese: 刘汉; pinyin: Liú Hàn; 25 October 1965 – 9 February 2015) was a prominent Chinese billionaire businessman and the former chairman of the Hanlong Group, a vast conglomerate with significant interests spanning power generation and mining. His meteoric rise and dramatic fall became a high-profile symbol of China's extensive anti-corruption campaign.

The Rise of a Business Empire: Hanlong Group's Scale and Influence

Born in Guanghan, Sichuan province, Liu Han quickly rose to prominence during China's period of rapid economic growth. Through the Hanlong Group, which he founded and chaired, he built an expansive business empire that extended across crucial sectors such as clean energy, real estate, and particularly large-scale resource development and mining. The group was involved in significant domestic projects and also pursued ambitious international ventures, including the acquisition of Australian Moly Mines in 2011 and an attempted takeover of Sundance Resources. His business acumen saw him accumulate a staggering fortune, with his assets officially valued at approximately 40 billion yuan, equivalent to about US$6.4 billion at the time. This immense wealth placed him among China's wealthiest individuals, underscoring the rapid accumulation of capital possible in the country's burgeoning economy.

The Dark Underbelly: Operating a Mafia-Style Criminal Organization

However, beneath the veneer of legitimate business success, Liu Han was found to be the undisputed ringleader of a sophisticated and ruthless "mafia-style" criminal organization (涉黑组织, shèhēi zǔzhī). This syndicate engaged in a wide array of illicit activities, including illegal gambling, extortion, loan sharking, unlawful detention, and intentional injury, often employing extreme violence to assert control, intimidate rivals, and silence witnesses. The criminal enterprise systematically oppressed local communities in Sichuan, creating an atmosphere of fear and operating with alarming impunity for many years. The official charges against him and his associates included multiple counts of murder – specifically, charges were brought for at least eight murders – illustrating the extreme nature of their criminal operations and the deadly consequences of challenging their authority.

Political Patronage and Inevitable Downfall

A critical factor enabling Liu Han's vast criminal network to flourish unchecked was his deep-seated political connections. His downfall was intrinsically linked to the broader, intensified anti-corruption campaign initiated by the Chinese government, which specifically targeted high-ranking officials and their illicit networks. Liu Han and his younger brother, Liu Wei (also a key figure in the criminal organization), maintained close ties with the family of Zhou Yongkang, China's immensely powerful former security chief, particularly his son, Zhou Bin (also known as Zhou Linggen). This powerful patronage allegedly provided Liu Han's gang with significant protection from law enforcement and enabled their illicit activities to expand unhindered for over a decade. The extensive investigation into Liu Han was widely seen as a pivotal step in the larger probe that eventually led to Zhou Yongkang's historic conviction for corruption and abuse of power, marking the highest-profile official brought down in decades.

High-Profile Trial, Conviction, and Execution

In a high-profile case that garnered national and international attention, Liu Han and 35 of his associates faced trial in Hubei province. He was convicted of numerous severe charges, including organizing and leading a criminal organization, multiple counts of intentional murder, illegal detention, extortion, illegal gambling, and obstructing justice. Following his conviction for these heinous crimes, Liu Han was sentenced to death. He was executed by the state on February 9, 2015, alongside his brother Liu Wei and three other key associates. His execution marked a significant moment in China's sweeping anti-corruption drive, demonstrating the government's resolve to prosecute not only corrupt officials but also the powerful business figures who benefited from and facilitated such systemic corruption.

Frequently Asked Questions About Liu Han

Who was Liu Han?

Liu Han was a prominent Chinese billionaire businessman and former chairman of the Hanlong Group, who became infamous for his conviction and execution for leading a mafia-style criminal organization, murder, and numerous other serious crimes.

What was the Hanlong Group?

The Hanlong Group was a large Chinese conglomerate founded and chaired by Liu Han, with significant business interests in sectors like power generation, real estate, and particularly large-scale mining operations, including notable international ventures.

What was the estimated value of Liu Han's assets?

At its peak, Liu Han's assets were officially valued at approximately 40 billion yuan, which was around US$6.4 billion at the time, placing him among China's wealthiest individuals.

What were the primary charges against Liu Han?

Liu Han was convicted of leading a mafia-style criminal organization, multiple counts of intentional murder (at least eight), illegal detention, extortion, illegal gambling, and other serious offenses that involved violence and intimidation.

How did political connections influence Liu Han's operations?

Liu Han's criminal enterprise allegedly flourished due to powerful political protection, particularly through his close ties with the family of former Chinese security chief Zhou Yongkang, which shielded his illegal activities from law enforcement for years.

When was Liu Han executed?

Liu Han was executed on February 9, 2015, following his conviction for a range of charges including murder and leading an organized crime syndicate.