October 2008, Shanghai. Hurun Report celebrated its ten year anniversary in style over four days with a launch party, Entrepreneurs Summit and two days of networking and lifestyle at the Polo Gold Cup.
23 October Launch Party
The Launch Party took place on the Hurun Lawn in the beautiful park of Pudong’s Dongjiao State Guest House with 450 of China’s fashion elite. Cocktails took the form of an English garden party with a myriad of entertainment. Khaled Younis, the three-time world croquet champion, flew in from Egypt to give an outstanding display of croquet skills in China’s , with the equipment generously provided by Jaques of London. The Hurun Report Museum set out highlights of the ten years of the Rich List. The ‘If Mao Only Knew’ exhibition highlighted the changes that have taken place since the Open Door Policy, and was made up of thirty one sculptures of Mao’s famous wave with highlights of the development of the private sector painted on each year, together with several limited edition pieces from contemporary artists Yi Deer and Wang Xiaohui.
During the course of the dinner, Rupert Hoogewerf presented awards to nine of China’s Icons and Innovators, the thought leaders for China’s new lifestyle, including presenter and philanthropist Yang Lan, Sohu boss Zhang Chaoyang, supermodel Lu Yan, collector Ma Weidou, designer Ding Yi, contemporary dancer Huang Doudou, private club owner Wang Zhangxing, costume designer Ji Cheng and furniture designer Li Yunhong. Entertainment included an exciting flamenco dance troupe, as well as the well-known singers Zhaxi Dunzhu from Tibet and female pop star Huang Ling.
if mao only knew
Croquet
24 October Hurun Entrepreneurs Summit
The Hurun Entrepreneurs Summit gathered together 500 of China’s wealthiest and most influential business leaders led by eighty entrepreneurs from the 2008 Hurun Rich List with a combined net worth of over US$90 billion.
Under the theme of Opportunities Arising from the Financial Crisis, thought leaders came together to discuss the significance of the Open Door Policy, the Global Financial Crisis, Social Responsibility, the Link between Wealth and Happiness and the Future of the Private Sector. The chairs of each panel, including Wen Yuankai, Yang Lan, Zhang Jun and Ma Weidou, ensured lively discussions and debates.
Lunch took place on a beautiful lawn normally reserved for senior political leaders, allowing the participants of the summit excellent opportunities for networking.
The highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony for those entrepreneurs that have made the most significant contribution to the development of the private sector over the past decade. The Most Respected Entrepreneur Award, the evening’s most coveted award, was presented to Liu Yongxing, chairman of East Hope Group. Peng Xiaofeng won the Most Respected Young Entrepreneur Award, Yu Pengnian won the Most Respected Philanthropist Award, Ma Huateng and Jiang Nanchun won the Most Respected Innovator Award, Ding Lei won the Most Respected Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, Chen Lihua won the Most Respected Businesswoman Award, Cao Dewang won the Most Respected Industry Leader Award, Shi Zhengrong won the Most Respected Environmental-Aware Entrepreneur Award, Xu Rongmao won the Most Respected Property Developer Award and Liang Zhaoxian won the Most Respected Second Generation Award. Both Fosun and Suning won the Most Respected Team Award. Huang Guangyu, chairman of Gome, won the Person of the Decade Award, for topping the Hurun Rich List for three out of the ten years. The well-known Taiwanese host Cao Qitai provided a lively running commentary together with Su Ling. Singer Gao Mingjun, also from Taiwan, entertained guests with a repertoire of his hits.
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25 & 26 October Polo Lifestyle
At the weekend, the party continued at the Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup, held at the Nine Dragon Hill Polo Club. As the Official Media Partner, Hurun Report had one of the best-located pavilions, where guests were treated with Pimms cocktails, delicious food and good company. To encourage guests to bring their families, the Hurun tent also featured a sandpit for the children and a croquet lawn behind the pavilion.
During the course of the Saturday,
the Hurun Ladies Team won an enthralling two chukkas against the Swisseau Ladies. During the course of the game, Liang Shangyan from the Hurun Ladies Team became the first female Chinese polo player.
During the lunch break, Khaled Younis, the three-time world croquet champion and the World Croquet Federation put on an exciting international croquet exhibition match, formally introducing the sport to China.
Guests were hugely entertained by the quality of the polo matches and the excellent organisation of the polo championship. After the matches, Rupert Hoogewerf presented the Hurun Most Promising Chinese Player Award to Gene Wang.
Hurun Report would like to thank all the sponsors of the Ten Year Anniversary Celebrations.
25th to 26th polo