Early Life
Chan Laiwa was born in Beijing's Summer Palace in 1941, into a noble Manchu family. However, the collapse of the Qing Dynasty left her family impoverished. Forced to leave high school, she started a furniture repair business, which became the foundation of her future success.
Rise to Success
In the 1980s, Chan moved to Hong Kong, where she found success in the furniture trade, eventually acquiring 12 villas. Returning to Beijing in the late 1980s, she expanded her business by investing in real estate. She founded the Fu Wah International Group in the 1990s, and it became one of Beijing's largest commercial property developers. Her key development was Jinbao Street, transforming a central area into a high-end commercial district.
Key Business Strategies
Chan's business acumen includes identifying opportunities in the real estate market and a focus on quality and luxury developments. She has diversified her company's portfolio into areas like hospitality and tourism, but real estate remains a primary source of her wealth.
Philanthropy
Chan Laiwa is committed to philanthropy, particularly supporting disaster relief. She has donated millions of yuan for relief efforts. In 1999, she established the China Red Sandalwood Museum, showcasing her love for traditional Chinese art and culture.