Wu Ying facts for kids

Wu Ying (Chinese: 吴英; pinyin: Wú Yīng, born 20 May 1981) is a businesswoman from Dongyang, Zhejiang Province, China. She was once known as one of the richest women in China. She faced serious legal challenges related to her business. Her initial sentence was very severe, but it was later changed by the Supreme Court of China. In 2012, her sentence was reduced. By 2014, it became a life sentence, and in 2018, it was further reduced to 25 years.

Early Life and Business Start

Wu Ying was born in May 1981 in a farming village in Dongyang. She was the oldest of four sisters. After finishing middle school in 1997, she went to a vocational school to study accounting. However, she left after about a year and a half.

She started working at her aunt's beauty salon. Later, she opened her own beauty shop in Dongyang. She also started a car rental business in a nearby city called Yiwu.

The Bense Group

In 2005, Wu Ying started a company called the Bense Group in Dongyang. The next year, she registered 15 different companies under this group. These companies had a total registered capital of 300 million yuan. She also made large donations to charities, giving 6.3 million yuan.

Her sudden wealth and fame caught the attention of the Chinese media. People wondered how she became so rich so quickly. In 2006, when she was only 25, the Hurun Report listed her as the sixth-richest woman in China. She was also the 68th-richest person overall in the country. Her net worth was estimated at 3.6 billion yuan (about US$567 million).

Legal Challenges and Court Cases

In February 2007, Wu Ying was arrested because of legal issues with her business. Her trial began in April 2009 in Jinhua, the city that oversees Dongyang. She was first accused of a less serious crime, but the charges were later changed to a more serious one related to her business dealings.

The court stated that between May 2005 and February 2007, Wu Ying had collected money from people. Her lawyer, Yang Zhaodong, argued that she had only borrowed money from 11 friends and invested it in successful businesses. In December 2009, the court found her responsible and gave her a very severe sentence. Wu Ying appealed this decision to the Zhejiang Provincial Court. However, on January 18, 2012, the provincial court supported the original decision.

Public Discussion and Support

Wu Ying's severe sentence led to a lot of public sympathy. Many people, including official Chinese media, spoke out. They criticized the legal system, saying it treated private citizens like Wu more harshly than corrupt officials. Many people called for a lighter sentence and for changes to the laws regarding economic crimes.

In March 2012, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said that Wu Ying's case should be handled very carefully by the Supreme Court. Many people saw his statement as a sign that he wanted a different outcome for her.

Sentence Reduction

In China, all very severe sentences must be reviewed and approved by the Supreme Court. On April 20, 2012, the Supreme Court announced its decision. The court confirmed that she was responsible for the charges. However, it overturned the initial severe sentence and sent her case back to the Zhejiang Provincial Court for a new sentencing.

This decision was praised by Wu Ying's supporters. On May 21, 2012, her sentence was reduced to a severe sentence with a two-year delay. This type of sentence is usually changed to a life sentence after two years. On July 11, 2014, her severe sentence was indeed changed to a life sentence. Then, on March 23, 2018, her life sentence was further reduced to 25 years.