RTR4J0K3
IN PHOTO: Wang Jianlin, chairman of Wanda commercial properties, attends a ceremony during the debut of the company at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange December 23, 2014. Shares in Chinese real estate developer Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties Co Ltd are set for a flat trading debut in Hong Kong on Tuesday as concerns about debt and a high valuation offset optimism over a rebound in China's property market. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Wang Jianlin, the chairman of Dalian Wanda Group, is the richest man in Asia. He is one of the major Chinese investors, using his wealth on Australian real estate.

Jianlin moved past Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing who had earlier claimed the designation as the wealthiest man in the continent. The Chinese businessman who deals mainly in real estate, hotel and cinema is worth $44.23 billion. Jianlin’s income comes from US-listed cinema chain AMC, China-listed Wanda Cinema Line and Hong Kong-listed Dalian Wanda Commercial Properties.

Jianlin’s company controls more filmgoers than any other cinema chain by serving thousands of movie screens all over the world. His investment is spread across four continents. Jianlin is reported to be trying to buy a Hollywood studio. On the other hand, he is planning to redesign the skylines of Chicago and London by building new skyscrapers around the cities.

While China has more billionaires in the country than in the United States, Jianlin stands out among the 430 billionaires in his country. The 60-year-old billionaire is one of the rare business people in his country, who are interested in doing business overseas.

Jianlin is known as a close associate of Hollywood stars and national leaders. Hollywood celebs visit him when he asks them to do so while prime ministers convey their gratitude be sending thank-you notes to him. The U.S. President Barack Obama also had a meeting with him during an event in March this year. The event was organised to lure foreign investors.

Jianlin company Dalian Wanda purchased Goldfields House on Sydney's Circular Quay for $415 million. It is considered to be one of the top development sites in Australia. Dalian Wanda has plans to build some of the most esteemed apartments in the country.

The company also has another project on the Gold Coast. The project will build 171 hotel rooms, 500 apartments and a luxury retail precinct. The work for the $1 billion project has already been started.

Jianlin’s father fought for Mao Zedong's Red Army during the Long March during Chinese Communist Revolution. Jinlin, a communist himself, served the People's Liberation Army for 17 years and joined the Communist Party of China in 1976.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au