What's trending?

In the past two days, photos and videos of the wedding of Chen Jinghe, chairman of Zijin Mining, China’s largest gold company, have been shared copiously online. The 63-year-old chairman of listed company Zijin Mining married for the second time over the Chinese National Day holiday.

Chen Jinghe’s marriage to Qian Bing, 38, is making waves on Weibo not only due to the 25 year age gap between the couple but also because of the financial arrangements put in place between the billionaire and his growing family.

What’s the story?

Chen Jinghe is one of China’s three well-known mineral industry bosses, alongside Wang Wenyin in copper and Zhang Shiping in aluminum. Chen’s company, Zijin Mining, is listed in Hong Kong and Shanghai with a market value of around 150 billion yuan ($22 billion).

As stated in Zijin Mining’s first-half financial report published on July 27, Chen completed the transfer of 51 million A shares worth 314 million yuan to his son from his previous marriage. Chen currently holds shares worth around 440 million yuan, and his son holds shares with a market value of around 310 million yuan. With rising gold prices, the company’s market value has soared in recent months.

It is understood that Chen’s first wife Lai Jinlian passed away in 2019 and that his new wife Qian holds an MBA and works in mergers and acquisitions, according to China Securities Journal.

What are people saying online?

Some online commentators joked that the marriage is Qian’s most successful merger and quote her comments that: “Our marriage will show that true love can break through traditional age limits.”

A popular comment read, “The bride is beautiful and elegant. Admiring a man with power is understandable.” Another comment expressed the hope that “after the holiday, Zijin Mining will reach its daily upper limit for two days in a row so that shareholders may join in the celebrations with the chairman!”

Other online posts however have been less kind, with a video likening the bride to a high-grade gold digger being particularly popular.

Contact editor Marcus Ryder (marcusryder@caixin.com)

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