Wang Gongquan
| Wang Gongquan 王功权 |
|
|---|---|
| Born | Oct 22, 1961 Gongzhuling, Jilin Province |
| Nationality | People's Republic of China |
| Alma mater | Jilin University of Technology |
| Occupation | Venture capitalist (retired) |
| Known for | Venture investment, civil rights advocacy |
Wang Gongquan (Chinese: 王功权; pinyin: Wáng Gōngquán) is a billionaire liberal activist in China. He is the a main leader and financial backer of the New Citizens' Movement. He was arrested on September 13, 2013 for allegedly "disturbing order in public space".
Wang Gongquan was born in Wanlong Village, Xiangshui Township, Gongzhuling, Jilin Province. He graduated from Jilin University of Technology in 1984 and landed a job in Jilin government. He quit the job in 1988 to start his business in Hainan. He was detained and questioned for almost a year after the June 4th Incident in 1989. He became a prominent businessman with success in real estate and venture investment.
Later his focus shifted from business to civil activism and played a significant role in the New Citizens' Movement. On September 13, 2013, Wang was detained for allegedly "disturbing order in public space" and he was formally arrested on October 20, 2013. His arrest became big news domestically and internationally.
Wang is listed in 2013's Top 100 Global Thinkers by Foreign Policy.
In 1988, Wang Gongquan quit his government job and went to Hainan for business endeavor. In 1991, he co-founded Vantone Industry Group, one of China's leading real estate developers, which he managed from 1991 to 1995, serving as president, vice chairman of the board, and honorary chairman of the board. Wang was a co-founder and general partner with IDG Technology Venture Investment, Inc from 1999 to 2005. He built and managed CDH Venture Partners from its inception in 2005.
Wang serves as a director of CDG Holdings Limited, Xueda Education Group, CDH Venture GP I Company Limited and CDH Venture GP II Company Limited, and was previously a director of ChinaEDU Corporation, China Civilink, China Finance Online Co., Ltd. and 3721.com.
In 2005, Wang Gongquan became a research in Gongmeng (Open Constitution Initiative).
In 2008, Wang initiated the "Equal Rights for Education" campaign, whose goal is to abolish the hukou constraint in gaokao (college admission exam) for students in migrant families. After several years' hard work, Ministry of Education revised the policy in Aug 2012 under the public pressure, subsequently, all cities and provinces except Beijing and Shanghai removed or promised to remove the constraint.
...
Wikipedia