In a heartwarming gesture, Richard Liu Qiangdong, the billionaire founder and former CEO of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, has touched residents of his hometown by announcing he would be showering them with gifts ahead of the Chinese New Year. According to the South China Morning Mail (SCMP)His generous gesture includes a significant cash gift of 10,000 yuan (about $1,400) to each villager aged 60 and over, as well as a variety of gifts such as food, clothing and household appliances for each household, worth a total of thousands of yuan.
Born into a financially struggling family in Guangming village, Mr. Richard's journey to success was paved by the collective support of his fellow villagers. According to S.C.M.PWhen Richad left for Beijing in the early 1990s to pursue his higher education at China Renmin University, the villagers rallied and pooled their resources to finance his tuition. Their combined contribution included 500 yuan ($70) and 76 eggs.
This kindness left a lasting impression on Mr. Richard. So after achieving success, he returned to his village in 2016 and started his gift-giving tradition. He reportedly donated a significant amount of money to each elderly villager and sent gifts worth thousands of yuan to each family, including food, clothing and household appliances.
This year, Mr. Richard continued his philanthropic efforts. His team asked the villagers to submit their family register and identity documents to ensure smooth distribution of gifts.
Overwhelmed by his generous gesture, the villagers expressed their deep appreciation and acknowledged that no one had ever been so kind to them. “Liu also came last year and brought coats and food. He has always been thoughtful and we are really grateful,” said Xu, a local farmer.
Another 71-year-old villager reflected on the billionaire's continued support, saying, “Even if he doesn't give us gifts in the future, we will always remember what he did for us. He worked hard for his success, and we are grateful for his contributions.”
Also read | 124-year-old Chinese woman shares secrets of longevity: “Lard rice, walks after meals”
Mr Richard also acknowledged the crucial role his village played in his education and success, emphasizing that their support played an important role in his journey. “The help of my fellow human beings is the starting point for me to face the world,” he once recalled.
Mr Richard's philanthropic efforts have also been well received on social media, with many applauding his generosity and character. “He is a businessman with a conscience,” one observer wrote, while another noted, “His real help is more meaningful than any words can convey.”
According to the Hurun Global Rich List published in April last year, Richard Liu Qiangdong's net worth was 49.5 billion yuan ($6.8 billion), ranking him 427th on the list of global tycoons.