Jump to content

Zhang Wenzhong: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Rayjef (talk | contribs)
219 edits
 
(33 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 7: Line 7:
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| native_name = 张文中
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|zh-hans|张文中}}}}
| native_name_lang = zh
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|07|1|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|07|1|df=y}}
Line 42: Line 42:
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
{{Chinese|t=張文中|s=张文中|p=Zhāng Wénzhōng}}
'''Zhang Wenzhong''' ({{zh|s=张文中|t=張文中|c=}}; born 1 July 1962), also known as '''Daniel Zhang''',<ref>{{Cite web | title=Retail Digitalization and Unification of Online/Offline in China | work=US-Asia Technology Management Center | date=September 24, 2020 | url=https://asia.stanford.edu/course/topics-in-international-technology-management/2020-digital-transformation-among-new-and-traditional-industries-in-asia/digital-transformation-within-retail/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215105003/https://asia.stanford.edu/course/topics-in-international-technology-management/2020-digital-transformation-among-new-and-traditional-industries-in-asia/digital-transformation-within-retail/ | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref> is a Chinese scholar and businessman who is the founder of [[Wumart]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Investors cannot get enough of Chinese e-grocers | work=[[The Economist]] | date=June 24, 2021 | author= | url=https://www.economist.com/business/2021/06/24/investors-cannot-get-enough-of-chinese-e-grocers | archive-url=http://archive.today/20211121101849/https://www.economist.com/business/2021/06/24/investors-cannot-get-enough-of-chinese-e-grocers | archive-date=November 21, 2021 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref> and the chairman of the board at Dmall.<ref>{{cite web | title=2020 China E-commerce Convention held at CIFTIS | work=[[Xinhua News Agency]] | date=September 6, 2020 | url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/06/c_139345949_3.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215072242/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/06/c_139345949_3.htm | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref> He is the Rotating Chairman of the Internet of Things Committee of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce,<ref>{{Cite web |title=全国工商联物联网委员会成员名单 |url=http://www.acfic.org.cn/zzjg_327/zmwyh/2022_wlwwyh/2022_wlwwyh_md/202202/t20220225_276068.html |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=www.acfic.org.cn}}</ref> Lifetime Trustee of Nankai University,<ref>{{Cite web |title=16位名家贤达受聘南开大学校董-百年校庆-南开大学 |url=http://news.nankai.edu.cn/bnxq/system/2019/08/29/030035010.shtml |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=news.nankai.edu.cn}}</ref> President of Nankai University's Alumni Entrepreneur Association,<ref>{{Cite web |title=南开校友企业家联谊会成立 |url=https://100.nankai.edu.cn/2019/0110/c10880a118239/page.psp |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=100.nankai.edu.cn}}</ref> Honorary President of China General Chamber of Commerce.<ref>{{Cite web |title=中国商业联合会选举张文中为荣誉主席_联商网 |url=http://www.linkshop.com/news/2020455038.shtml |access-date=2022-06-07 |website=www.linkshop.com}}</ref>
'''Zhang Wenzhong''' ({{zh|c=张文中}}; born 1 July 1962), also known as '''Daniel Zhang''',<ref>{{Cite web | title=Retail Digitalization and Unification of Online/Offline in China | work=US-Asia Technology Management Center | date=September 24, 2020 | url=https://asia.stanford.edu/course/topics-in-international-technology-management/2020-digital-transformation-among-new-and-traditional-industries-in-asia/digital-transformation-within-retail/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215105003/https://asia.stanford.edu/course/topics-in-international-technology-management/2020-digital-transformation-among-new-and-traditional-industries-in-asia/digital-transformation-within-retail/ | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref> is a Chinese scholar and businessman who is the founder of [[Wumart]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Investors cannot get enough of Chinese e-grocers | work=[[The Economist]] | date=June 24, 2021 | author= | url=https://www.economist.com/business/2021/06/24/investors-cannot-get-enough-of-chinese-e-grocers | archive-url=https://archive.today/20211121101849/https://www.economist.com/business/2021/06/24/investors-cannot-get-enough-of-chinese-e-grocers | archive-date=November 21, 2021 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref> and the chairman of the board at Dmall.<ref>{{cite web | title=2020 China E-commerce Convention held at CIFTIS | work=[[Xinhua News Agency]] | date=September 6, 2020 | url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/06/c_139345949_3.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215072242/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-09/06/c_139345949_3.htm | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>

Zhang is also a visiting professor of Renmin University of China, Nankai University and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.


Zhang is also a life member of the Council of the [[Nankai University]] and a [[distinguished professor]] there.<ref>{{cite web | title=Nankai University "In Remembrance of Masters" Serial Awards Presented | work=[[China News Service]] | date=November 6, 2023 | url=http://www.tj.chinanews.com.cn/zxjzktj/2023-11-06/detail-ihcuqerk7386170.shtml | language= }}</ref> He previously did postdoctoral engineering researches at [[Stanford University]].<ref>{{cite web | title=China's Wumart Holds Its Own | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=July 20, 2006 | author=Mei Fong | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB115333527926411402 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20240216021811/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB115333527926411402 | archive-date=February 16, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>
==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Zhang was born on July 1, 1962 in Jimo County (now [[Jimo District]], [[Qingdao City]]).<ref name="Springer"/> He earned a bachelor's degree of science in mathematics and master's degree in management from [[Nankai University]].<ref name="Liang Guosheng">{{cite web | title=Zhang Wenzhong: A Postdoc Inadvertently Becomes a Big Retailer | website=[[China Youth Daily]] | author=Liang Guosheng | date=April 4, 2006 | url=http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2006-04/04/content_1350378.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060407073155/http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2006-04/04/content_1350378.htm | archive-date=April 7, 2006 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref> He graduated with a [[doctorate degree]] from the Institute of Systems Science of the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]].<ref name="Liang Guosheng"/> After that, he completed a [[postdoctoral fellowship]] at [[Stanford University School of Engineering]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2149935/beijings-tight-grip-economy-leaves-tycoons-tightrope |title=Beijing’s tight grip on economy leaves tycoons on a tightrope |work=[[South China Morning Post]] | date=June 10, 2018 | author=Wang Xiangwei | archive-url=http://archive.today/20240215031722/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2149935/beijings-tight-grip-economy-leaves-tycoons-tightrope | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>
Zhang was born on July 1, 1962 in Jimo County (now [[Jimo District]], [[Qingdao City]]).<ref name="Springer"/> He earned a bachelor's degree of science in mathematics and master's degree in management from [[Nankai University]].<ref name="Liang Guosheng">{{cite web | title=Zhang Wenzhong: A Postdoc Inadvertently Becomes a Big Retailer | website=[[China Youth Daily]] | author=Liang Guosheng | date=April 4, 2006 | url=http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2006-04/04/content_1350378.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060407073155/http://zqb.cyol.com/content/2006-04/04/content_1350378.htm | archive-date=April 7, 2006 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref> He graduated with a [[doctorate degree]] from the Institute of Systems Science of the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]].<ref name="Liang Guosheng"/> After that, he completed a [[postdoctoral fellowship]] at [[Stanford University School of Engineering]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2149935/beijings-tight-grip-economy-leaves-tycoons-tightrope |title=Beijing’s tight grip on economy leaves tycoons on a tightrope |work=[[South China Morning Post]] | date=June 10, 2018 | author=Wang Xiangwei | archive-url=https://archive.today/20240215031722/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2149935/beijings-tight-grip-economy-leaves-tycoons-tightrope | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>


==Career==
== Business career ==
In 1994, Zhang opened the first modern supermarket in Beijing under the brand name of Wumart. It was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003 and privatized in 2016.<ref>{{cite web | title=Platform for growth | work=[[The Standard (Hong Kong)|The Standard]] | date=April 3, 2023 | author=Karen Ng | url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/fc/1/251278/Platform-for-growth | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403064624/https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/fc/1/251278/Platform-for-growth | archive-date=April 3, 2023 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>
In 1994, Zhang opened the first supermarket in Beijing under the name of Wumart Stores.<ref>{{cite web | author1=Xie Fei | author2=Shi Tao | title=Wenzhong Zhang Gets Belated Justice | work=[[Deutsche Welle]] | date=May 31, 2018 | url=https://www.dw.com/zh/%E6%98%94%E6%97%A5%E6%B0%91%E8%90%A5%E5%A4%A7%E4%BA%A8%E8%8E%B7%E5%BE%97%E8%BF%9F%E5%88%B0%E7%9A%84%E6%AD%A3%E4%B9%89/a-44018272 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215112947/https://www.dw.com/zh/%E6%98%94%E6%97%A5%E6%B0%91%E8%90%A5%E5%A4%A7%E4%BA%A8%E8%8E%B7%E5%BE%97%E8%BF%9F%E5%88%B0%E7%9A%84%E6%AD%A3%E4%B9%89/a-44018272 | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref> It was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003 and privatized in 2016.<ref>{{cite web | title=Platform for growth | work=[[The Standard (Hong Kong)|The Standard]] | date=April 3, 2023 | author=Karen Ng | url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/fc/1/251278/Platform-for-growth | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403064624/https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/fc/1/251278/Platform-for-growth | archive-date=April 3, 2023 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>


Prior to founding Wumart, Zhang worked at the [[Development Research Center of the State Council|Development Research Center of the State Council of China]], where he was engaged in macroeconomic research.<ref>{{cite web | title=Wumart founder Zhang Wenzhong was acquitted | work=Radio Free Asia | date=May 31, 2018 | url=https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yl-05312018110044.html | language= }}</ref>
Prior to founding Wumart, Zhang worked at the [[Development Research Center of the State Council|Development Research Center of the State Council of China]], where he was engaged in macroeconomic research.<ref>{{cite web | title=Wumart founder Zhang Wenzhong was acquitted | work=[[Radio Free Asia]] | author=Lin Ping | date=May 31, 2018 | url=https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/renquanfazhi/yl-05312018110044.html | language= }}</ref>


== Wrongful conviction in 2006, Overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018 ==
==Wrongful conviction==
In 2006, Zhang was arrested based on unjust accusations. In 2008, the Hengshui Intermediate People's Court of Hebei province sentenced him to 18 years in prison on charges of misappropriation, bribery and fraud, and changed the verdict to 12 years for the final ruling in 2009. A total of RMB 52.1 million in fines was also ordered, which was a violation of personal and enterprise property rights.
In 2006, Zhang was arrested based on unjust accusations. In 2008, the Hengshui Intermediate People's Court of Hebei province sentenced him to 18 years in prison on charges of misappropriation, bribery and fraud, and changed the verdict to 12 years for the final ruling in 2009.{{cn|date=October 2024}} A total of RMB 52.1 million in fines was also ordered, which was a violation of personal and enterprise property rights.{{cn|date=October 2024}}


While in prison, he refused to succumb to injustice and spent most of his time reading and researching. During that time he patented four of his own inventions, receiving one top prize and two first class scientific and technological progress awards at a provincial and ministerial level. He was granted early release.
While in prison, he refused to succumb to injustice and spent most of his time reading and researching.{{cn|date=October 2024}} During that time he patented four of his own inventions, receiving one top prize and two first class scientific and technological progress awards at a provincial and ministerial level. He was granted early release.{{cn|date=October 2024}}


On December 28, 2017, the [[Supreme People's Court]] announced a retrial for Zhang's case, followed by the work reports of the Supreme People's Court and [[Supreme People's Procuratorate]] delivered at the plenary session of 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in March 2018, that ruled his case as a wrongful conviction that is to be corrected to fully implement the property rights protection.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sign that entrepreneurs' rights are better protected | work=China Daily | date=May 31, 2018 | url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/31/WS5b0ffafaa31001b82571d7f6.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601144133/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/31/WS5b0ffafaa31001b82571d7f6.html | archive-date=June 1, 2018 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-bribery-magnate/in-rare-reversal-china-court-overturns-magnates-decade-old-graft-conviction-idUSKCN1IW0GW|title=In rare reversal, China court overturns magnate's decade-old graft conviction |author=|work=[[Reuters]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518124610/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-bribery-magnate/in-rare-reversal-china-court-overturns-magnates-decade-old-graft-conviction-idUSKCN1IW0GW | archive-date=May 18, 2021 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>
On December 28, 2017, the [[Supreme People's Court]] announced a retrial for Zhang's case, followed by the work reports of the Supreme People's Court and [[Supreme People's Procuratorate]] delivered at the plenary session of 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in March 2018, that ruled his case as a wrongful conviction that is to be corrected to fully implement the property rights protection.<ref>{{cite web | title=Sign that entrepreneurs' rights are better protected | work=China Daily | date=May 31, 2018 | url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/31/WS5b0ffafaa31001b82571d7f6.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601144133/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/31/WS5b0ffafaa31001b82571d7f6.html | archive-date=June 1, 2018 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-bribery-magnate/in-rare-reversal-china-court-overturns-magnates-decade-old-graft-conviction-idUSKCN1IW0GW|title=In rare reversal, China court overturns magnate's decade-old graft conviction |author=|work=[[Reuters]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518124610/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-bribery-magnate/in-rare-reversal-china-court-overturns-magnates-decade-old-graft-conviction-idUSKCN1IW0GW | archive-date=May 18, 2021 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>


On May 31, 2018, his case was turned over by the Supreme Court of China. In its statement, the Supreme People's Court - after a final retrial - made the ruling that the original sentence was based on insufficient evidence and the laws applied were improper, quashing a guilty verdict for which he received an 18-year jail term ten years ago.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/05/31/world/asia/ap-as-china-tycoon-exonerated.html|title=Chinese Retail Tycoon's Fraud Conviction Thrown Out|date=2018-05-31|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-06-11|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Property rights better protected | work=China Daily | author=Cao Yin ＆ Wang Zhuoqiong | date=June 4, 2018 | url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/chinalic/2018-06/04/content_36340470.htm | archive-url=http://archive.today/20240215061827/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/chinalic/2018-06/04/content_36340470.htm | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>
On May 31, 2018, his case was turned over by the Supreme Court of China. In its statement, the Supreme People's Court - after a final retrial - made the ruling that the original sentence was based on insufficient evidence and the laws applied were improper, quashing a guilty verdict for which he received an 18-year jail term ten years ago.<ref>{{cite web | title=Chinese Retail Tycoon's Fraud Conviction Thrown Out | work=[[The Associated Press]] | date=May 31, 2018 | author=Joe McDonald | url=https://apnews.com/general-news-8790540dcb4e4cb3862bb7a1ba6c8796 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20240216010216/https://apnews.com/general-news-8790540dcb4e4cb3862bb7a1ba6c8796 | archive-date=February 16, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Property rights better protected | work=China Daily | author=Cao Yin ＆ Wang Zhuoqiong | date=June 4, 2018 | url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/chinalic/2018-06/04/content_36340470.htm | archive-url=https://archive.today/20240215061827/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/chinalic/2018-06/04/content_36340470.htm | archive-date=February 15, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>


===Timeline of Zhang's case===
===Timeline of Zhang's case===
* Nov 12, 2006: Zhang Wenzhong investigated for graft by government authorities. Zhang later resigned from Wumei.
* Nov 12, 2006: Zhang Wenzhong investigated for graft by government authorities. Zhang later resigned from Wumei.<ref>{{cite web | title=Wumart Chairman Zhang Resigns | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=November 16, 2006 | author1=Mei Fong | author2=Jonathan Li | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116360648743123954 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20240216021750/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB116360648743123954 | archive-date=February 16, 2024 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>
* Dec 25, 2007: Prosecutors in Hengshui, Hebei province, formally charged Zhang with fraud, embezzlement and bribery.
* Dec 25, 2007: Prosecutors in Hengshui, Hebei province, formally charged Zhang with fraud, embezzlement and bribery.
* Oct 9, 2008: The Hengshui Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhang to 18 years in prison and impose a fine of 500,000 yuan ($78,038). Zhang appealed.
* Oct 9, 2008: The Hengshui Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhang to 18 years in prison and impose a fine of 500,000 yuan ($78,038). Zhang appealed.
Line 73: Line 73:
* Dec 27, 2017: The Supreme People's Court agreed to retry Zhang's case.
* Dec 27, 2017: The Supreme People's Court agreed to retry Zhang's case.
* Feb 12, 2018 The top court hears the case publicly.
* Feb 12, 2018 The top court hears the case publicly.
* May 31: Zhang's is cleared about 10 years after being pronounced guilty by the first court<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201806/01/WS5b10ab68a31001b82571d9bf_2.html|title=Wumart tycoon's conviction thrown out|author=Cao Yin|work=China Daily | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713014703/http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201806/01/WS5b10ab68a31001b82571d9bf_2.html | archive-date=July 13, 2018 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>
* May 31: Zhang's is cleared about 10 years after being pronounced guilty by the first court.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201806/01/WS5b10ab68a31001b82571d9bf_2.html|title=Wumart tycoon's conviction thrown out|author=Cao Yin|work=China Daily | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713014703/http://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201806/01/WS5b10ab68a31001b82571d9bf_2.html | archive-date=July 13, 2018 | url-status=live | language= }}</ref>


== Address at the annual summit of China Entrepreneur Forum (CEF) ==
== Address at the annual summit of China Entrepreneur Forum (CEF) ==
On February 28, he addressed the annual summit of China Entrepreneur Forum with the title '''''Time Tries Devotion, Hearts Warm the World'''''.His address won popular support nationwide. Part of the address was quoted in the media. "Although justice arrives late, shall it never be absent. Belated justice is still extremely precious." "I do not regret for maintaining my integrity, not compromising with my dignity and not breaching my own morality baseline. " "Love shines in the world, Justice cherished in hearts, Kinship and friendship deep as ocean.""Spring blooms in heart, Life enlightens with sunshine".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2018-06/04/content_36318325.htm|title=PROPERTY RIGHTS BETTER PROTECTED|last=李松|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2018-06-11}}</ref>
On February 28, he addressed the annual summit of China Entrepreneur Forum with the title '''''Time Tries Devotion, Hearts Warm the World'''''. His address won popular support nationwide. Part of the address was quoted in the media. "Although justice arrives late, shall it never be absent. Belated justice is still extremely precious." "I do not regret for maintaining my integrity, not compromising with my dignity and not breaching my own morality baseline." "Love shines in the world, Justice cherished in hearts, Kinship and friendship deep as ocean." "Spring blooms in heart, Life enlightens with sunshine".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2018-06/04/content_36318325.htm|title=PROPERTY RIGHTS BETTER PROTECTED|last=李松|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn|access-date=2018-06-11}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 11:15, 14 December 2024

In this Chinese name, the family name is Zhang (张).
Zhang Wenzhong
张文中
Born (1962-07-01) 1 July 1962 (age 62)
Qingdao, Shandong[1]
NationalityChinese
EducationChinese Academy of Sciences
Nankai University
Known forFounder of Wumart
Zhang Wenzhong
Traditional Chinese張文中
Simplified Chinese张文中
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZhāng Wénzhōng

Zhang Wenzhong (Chinese: 张文中; born 1 July 1962), also known as Daniel Zhang,[2] is a Chinese scholar and businessman who is the founder of Wumart,[3] and the chairman of the board at Dmall.[4]

Zhang is also a life member of the Council of the Nankai University and a distinguished professor there.[5] He previously did postdoctoral engineering researches at Stanford University.[6]

Early life and education

[edit]

Zhang was born on July 1, 1962 in Jimo County (now Jimo District, Qingdao City).[1] He earned a bachelor's degree of science in mathematics and master's degree in management from Nankai University.[7] He graduated with a doctorate degree from the Institute of Systems Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.[7] After that, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University School of Engineering.[8]

Career

[edit]

In 1994, Zhang opened the first supermarket in Beijing under the name of Wumart Stores.[9] It was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2003 and privatized in 2016.[10]

Prior to founding Wumart, Zhang worked at the Development Research Center of the State Council of China, where he was engaged in macroeconomic research.[11]

Wrongful conviction

[edit]

In 2006, Zhang was arrested based on unjust accusations. In 2008, the Hengshui Intermediate People's Court of Hebei province sentenced him to 18 years in prison on charges of misappropriation, bribery and fraud, and changed the verdict to 12 years for the final ruling in 2009.[citation needed] A total of RMB 52.1 million in fines was also ordered, which was a violation of personal and enterprise property rights.[citation needed]

While in prison, he refused to succumb to injustice and spent most of his time reading and researching.[citation needed] During that time he patented four of his own inventions, receiving one top prize and two first class scientific and technological progress awards at a provincial and ministerial level. He was granted early release.[citation needed]

On December 28, 2017, the Supreme People's Court announced a retrial for Zhang's case, followed by the work reports of the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate delivered at the plenary session of 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in March 2018, that ruled his case as a wrongful conviction that is to be corrected to fully implement the property rights protection.[12][13]

On May 31, 2018, his case was turned over by the Supreme Court of China. In its statement, the Supreme People's Court - after a final retrial - made the ruling that the original sentence was based on insufficient evidence and the laws applied were improper, quashing a guilty verdict for which he received an 18-year jail term ten years ago.[14][15]

Timeline of Zhang's case

[edit]
  • Nov 12, 2006: Zhang Wenzhong investigated for graft by government authorities. Zhang later resigned from Wumei.[16]
  • Dec 25, 2007: Prosecutors in Hengshui, Hebei province, formally charged Zhang with fraud, embezzlement and bribery.
  • Oct 9, 2008: The Hengshui Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhang to 18 years in prison and impose a fine of 500,000 yuan ($78,038). Zhang appealed.
  • March 30, 2009: The Hebei High People's Court made a final ruling on the appeal. Zhang sentenced to 12 years in prison for the three crimes, still with a fine of 500,000 yuan.
  • Feb 6, 2013: Zhang was released from prison. Zhang twice received commutations.
  • December 2015: The court in Hebei rejected Zhang's appeal.
  • October 2016: Zhang appealed to the Supreme People's Court.
  • Dec 27, 2017: The Supreme People's Court agreed to retry Zhang's case.
  • Feb 12, 2018 The top court hears the case publicly.
  • May 31: Zhang's is cleared about 10 years after being pronounced guilty by the first court.[17]

Address at the annual summit of China Entrepreneur Forum (CEF)

[edit]

On February 28, he addressed the annual summit of China Entrepreneur Forum with the title Time Tries Devotion, Hearts Warm the World. His address won popular support nationwide. Part of the address was quoted in the media. "Although justice arrives late, shall it never be absent. Belated justice is still extremely precious." "I do not regret for maintaining my integrity, not compromising with my dignity and not breaching my own morality baseline." "Love shines in the world, Justice cherished in hearts, Kinship and friendship deep as ocean." "Spring blooms in heart, Life enlightens with sunshine".[18]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Selected Cases from the Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China. Springer. 2019. p. 49. ISBN 978-981-15-0342-9.
  2. ^ "Retail Digitalization and Unification of Online/Offline in China". US-Asia Technology Management Center. September 24, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Investors cannot get enough of Chinese e-grocers". The Economist. June 24, 2021. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "2020 China E-commerce Convention held at CIFTIS". Xinhua News Agency. September 6, 2020. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "Nankai University "In Remembrance of Masters" Serial Awards Presented". China News Service. November 6, 2023.
  6. ^ Mei Fong (July 20, 2006). "China's Wumart Holds Its Own". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Liang Guosheng (April 4, 2006). "Zhang Wenzhong: A Postdoc Inadvertently Becomes a Big Retailer". China Youth Daily. Archived from the original on April 7, 2006.
  8. ^ Wang Xiangwei (June 10, 2018). "Beijing's tight grip on economy leaves tycoons on a tightrope". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024.
  9. ^ Xie Fei; Shi Tao (May 31, 2018). "Wenzhong Zhang Gets Belated Justice". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Karen Ng (April 3, 2023). "Platform for growth". The Standard. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023.
  11. ^ Lin Ping (May 31, 2018). "Wumart founder Zhang Wenzhong was acquitted". Radio Free Asia.
  12. ^ "Sign that entrepreneurs' rights are better protected". China Daily. May 31, 2018. Archived from the original on June 1, 2018.
  13. ^ "In rare reversal, China court overturns magnate's decade-old graft conviction". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  14. ^ Joe McDonald (May 31, 2018). "Chinese Retail Tycoon's Fraud Conviction Thrown Out". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024.
  15. ^ Cao Yin ＆ Wang Zhuoqiong (June 4, 2018). "Property rights better protected". China Daily. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024.
  16. ^ Mei Fong; Jonathan Li (November 16, 2006). "Wumart Chairman Zhang Resigns". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Cao Yin. "Wumart tycoon's conviction thrown out". China Daily. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018.
  18. ^ 李松. "PROPERTY RIGHTS BETTER PROTECTED". www.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Zhang_Wenzhong&oldid=1263045503"