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1958  
Born in Shaocuo village in Jinjiang, Fujian province, as one of eight children. Receives only three years' formal education and becomes a well digger
1979
With about US$150, opens a factory making car parts with friends - the first of a series of businesses that includes a textile factory, an electronics store, a shipping business, an investment company and a cigarette plant
1991  
Emigrates to Hong Kong through adoption by a family friend, despite being 35, but his permanent residency and HKSAR passport are revoked in 2002  by the government, which says he obtained them dishonestly
1994  
Sets up the Yuanhua Group  and amasses a fortune during the 1990s, much of which allegedly comes from smuggling billions of dollars worth of goods into China
1996
 Spends tens of millions of yuan  building his 'Red Mansion',  where he allegedly hands out bribes to officials while entertaining them with  young women
1997  
Spends about 16.8 million yuan (HK$20.3 million)  buying Xiamen's soccer team 
April 1999
Faces investigation by the Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, led by premier Zhu Rongji, over smuggling and corruption allegations
August 1999
Flees Xiamen  on a speedboat with his wife and children after being tipped off by Zhuang Rushun, then head of public security in Fuzhou, that Zhu's team will arrest him. Goes to Hong Kong, then Vancouver a few days later
2000
Chinese authorities issue a warrant for his arrest, and request Canada send him back. Buys a luxury mansion in Vancouver but is soon forced to sell it as legal fees mount. In June applies for political asylum, beginning an 11-year battle with Canadian courts and immigration authorities
June 2005
Divorces wife Zeng Mingna  
May 2006
Loses asylum appeal and has deportation order issued against him, but in June the order is suspended by Canada's Federal Court on grounds he could face torture or death in China
February 2007
Gan Yisheng, deputy secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, gives assurances that he will not face a death sentence if sent back. In April a Canadian federal judge rules it is 'patently unreasonable' to accept the assurances
January 2009
Granted a work permit by the Canadian government, and finds work at a Vancouver-based real estate company as a consultant
May 2009
Ex-wife Zeng and their daughter return to China under an agreement with the central government. His two sons return the following year
July 2011
Detained by Canadian border authorities in his flat in Vancouver on July 7, after they complete an assessment to ensure he won't face abuse if sent back, clearing the way for his deportation  
July 22, 2011
Loses appeal against deportation



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