From cook, to tycoon to jailbird, again

Disgraced tycoon Chau Ching-ngai, convicted of embezzlement, bribery and forgery, rose from being a Shanghai dumpling cook to China's 11th-richest person and a fixture of Hong Kong high society, along with his wife, Mo Yuk-ping.

Born to a modest family living in Shanghai's northern Yangpu district, he eventually owned several properties in Hong Kong, reportedly including a luxury home in Jardine's Lookout.

The rise of the street-smart entrepreneur in many ways embodies the growth of private companies on the mainland and illustrates how political connections can bring success in the country's freewheeling business environment.

According to the legend that has grown around him, Chau went to work at the age of 17 with little formal education. He cooked dumplings at a small restaurant and later sold clothes at a street stall. Taking advantage of China's shift to a market economy, he began trading in goods between provinces.

In 1987, he went to Japan and made his business international, exporting hair tonic to the Asian neighbour and bringing back consumer goods to sell in China. That venture allowed him to raise the money to set up his own restaurant in Shanghai. Travelling overseas also gave him the inspiration for his future business empire.

He later branched out into other entertainment venues, such as saunas and karaoke bars, and he began to play the stock market. He formally set up his flagship property company in 1997.