Billionaire Profile
Liu Xiaodong
Global Rank
#1763

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Liu Xiaodong

CEO, Shanghai Bairun Investment Holding Group
CN
Real-Time Net Worth
$2B
As of December 2025
Age
58
Source
Flavorings, Self Made
Industry
manufacturing
Citizenship
CN

Biography

Liu Xiaodong, a prominent figure in contemporary Chinese art, is recognized for his large-scale, realist paintings that depict the human condition, especially within the context of China's rapid societal changes. Born in 1963, Liu's career has been marked by his involvement in the Neo-Realist movement. His work is often characterized by its focus on the daily lives of ordinary people and the impact of modernization, economic shifts, and environmental concerns. Liu's wealth stems from his role as chairman of Shanghai Bairun Investment Holding Group, a maker of alcopop beverages. He has received international acclaim and his works are held in collections of major museums worldwide, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Liu Xiaodong was born in 1963 in Jincheng, Liaoning Province, China. His parents worked in the local paper mill, an experience that would later inform his artistic perspective. At 17, he moved to Beijing to study art, eventually earning Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA).

Rise to Success

Liu emerged as a leading figure in Chinese contemporary art through his large-scale, on-site oil paintings that document communities in flux. He gained recognition for his involvement in the Neo-Realist movement in China during the 1990s. In 2015, Liu's wealth significantly increased due to the planned acquisition of the alcopop supplier Shanghai Bacchus by Shanghai Bairun Flavor & Fragrance, a company he chairs. This acquisition boosted Bairun's business, leading to a surge in its share price.

Key Business Strategies

Liu's business acumen is reflected in the success of Shanghai Bairun Investment Holding Group. The company's strategy included the acquisition of Shanghai Bacchus, which helped to solidify its position in the market. The company's focus on the alcopop beverage sector has been a key driver of its growth.

Philanthropy

Information on Liu Xiaodong's specific philanthropic endeavors is limited based on search results. More information would be needed to describe his philanthropic initiatives.

Career Milestones

1997

Cofounded Bairun

Cofounded the predecessor of Shanghai Bairun Investment Holding Group, a company that would later become a significant source of his wealth.

2015

Bairun Acquires Shanghai Bacchus

The acquisition of domestic alcopop supplier Shanghai Bacchus boosted Bairun's business.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"“I like to find scenes that are part of life, of someone's everyday existence and I choose places that interest me.”"