Hui Ka Yan Chinese entrepreneur and teacher Country: China

Biography of Huayi Yan

Huayi Yan, a Chinese entrepreneur and educator, has been serving as the Chairman of the Board of Evergrande Real Estate Group Limited since 1996, responsible for the overall development strategy of the company. He was born in 1958 in Henan Province, China. Dr. Yan graduated from Wuhan University of Science and Technology in 1982 with a specialization in metallurgy. In 2008, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the University of West Alabama. From 2003, he taught management at his alma mater.

With over a quarter-century of experience in real estate investment, construction, and enterprise management, Dr. Yan is a renowned figure in the industry. He currently serves as a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Vice President of the China Enterprise Confederation, China Entrepreneur Association, and China Real Estate Association.

Marrying with two children, Dr. Yan is ranked 209th on the Forbes billionaire list and is considered to be the 7th or 8th wealthiest person in China. He also tops the list of the most generous Chinese philanthropists, having donated $62 million to charity in 2011. In addition to Evergrande Real Estate Group Limited, the largest real estate player in Guangdong Province, Dr. Yan also owns a football team and a film studio.