From net worth of US$580 to US$580 million, China school dropout builds steamed bun empire

A school dropout from eastern China who survived a violent attack and bankruptcy has built a steamed bun empire that generates 180 million yuan (US$26 million) annually. Liu Huiping, 49, hails from Anhui province, famously known as China’s “hometown of dough makers.” To ease the financial burden on his parents, Liu left secondary school early. He initially learned furniture making before shifting his focus to the craft of Chinese buns. In 1998, with a 4,000-yuan (US$580) loan, Liu ventured to...

By Zoey Zhang