Early Life
Liu Hanyuan was born in Meishan, China, in 1964. Growing up in a peasant family, he developed an interest in aquaculture during his high school years. After graduating, Liu started his fish farming business at the young age of 19. Though he faced initial setbacks, he persevered, researching fish farming technology for seven months, which led to rapid development in his ponds.
Rise to Success
In 1992, Liu founded Tongwei Group, initially focusing on the production and distribution of fish feed. The company quickly became the world's largest fish feed manufacturer. In 2004, Tongwei went public, marking a significant milestone. Recognizing the burgeoning photovoltaic industry, Liu diversified into solar energy in 2006. By 2013, Tongwei became a leading producer of high-purity silicon, essential for solar panels. Under his leadership, Tongwei has become a fully integrated PV enterprise.
Key Business Strategies
Liu focused on diversification, which proved to be a key asset for the Tongwei Group. His business empire expanded beyond energy, with interests in food, real estate, construction, and media. Tongwei adopted a unique 'aquatic fishing plus PV energy' model, combining its agriculture business with its energy business. PV power stations were placed over aquaculture ponds to generate electricity, creating a synergistic and efficient approach. The company also focused on R&D, spending around 2.5 billion RMB in 2022 to enhance its solar technology and expand production capacity.
Philanthropy
Liu has a strong sense of social responsibility. Through Tongwei's charitable foundations and social programs, Liu has supported educational initiatives, poverty alleviation projects, and disaster relief efforts across China. The Tongwei Group has funded the building of photovoltaic power generation systems in uninhabited areas in Qinghai and Tibet. Tongwei has also provided financial assistance to over 2,000 students and teachers in Sichuan through its Hope Project Award Fund and donated to Sichuan Agricultural University for the construction of lecture halls.
