Wang Jianlin’s Wanda beefs up investment into internet-related businesses
China’s richest man has set up a separate internet division known as Wanda Internet Technology Group, underscoring his positive outlook on the sector
Chinese property-to-entertainment conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group has made a deepening foray into internet-related businesses as it goes further in transformation and expanding its asset-light approach.
Controlled by China’s richest man Wang Jianlin, Wanda announced Thursday it has newly set up an internet technology unit, making it one of the group’s core businesses.
The unit was spun off from Wanda Financial Group and “will focus on online to offline integration, and create a fresh business model for the Internet of Things,” Wanda said in a press release, adding that underlying companies including online payment, big data providers and online credit firms will be moved to the internet group.
As the group accelerates its transformation to services, commerce, culture, internet and finance will become pillars of the group, Wang said.
Qu Dejun, the former executive president of Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties, is appointed as the chief executive of the newly established Wanda Internet Technology Group.
Wanda also announced it has hired Dong Jianyue, former chairman of China Guangfa Bank, to be Wanda Financial’s chairman and chief executive.