The Ledger / Chen Dongsheng
Chen Dongsheng
◼ Origin
Founded China Guardian Auctions in 1993 (China's first international-style auction house) and Taikang Life Insurance in 1996 after leaving a government research post. Taikang entered the Fortune Global 500 in 2018 and now manages approximately $380 billion in assets. Chen is married to Kong Dongmei, granddaughter of Mao Zedong.
◼ Self-Made Verdict — YES
Built both China Guardian Auctions and Taikang Insurance from scratch after leaving a government research post with no inherited capital base.
◼ Documented marks
01
Chairman and CEO of Taikang Insurance Group, one of China's largest private insurers by assets
02
Founder, Chairman and CEO of Taikang Insurance Group, a Fortune Global 500 company since 2018 with ~$380B in assets under management
03
Founded China Guardian Auctions in 1993 — the first auction house in China to operate international-style public auctions
04
Married to Kong Dongmei, granddaughter of Mao Zedong
05
Named in the 2016 ICIJ Panama Papers as sole director and shareholder of Keen Best International Ltd., a BVI shell company established via Mossack Fonseca in 2011
06
One of China's largest private art collectors
07
Founded China Guardian Auctions in 1993 -- China's first international-style auction house; the parent entity holds a stake in Sotheby's
08
Named in the 2016 Panama Papers via a BVI shell company (Keen Best International Limited) established through Mossack Fonseca
09
Board member of Xiaomi Corporation (public)
10
Son-in-law of Kong Dongmei, granddaughter of Mao Zedong
No inheritance, or primary accounts documented for this billionaire yet.
◼ List of charges
Total sentence
0–0 years
That is
0.0–0.0 life sentences
(using 78 years as one life)
At $1 million per day
Chen Dongsheng's fortune would last 13 years
0.2 lifetimes of luxury — before running out.
These are moral charges, not legal ones. The actual legal system has not — and will not — bring them.
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