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Zhang Li

Zhang Li

Z. Li
-0.01% | - $-0.33M
$2.75 B ₹ 25,025 Cr
Real Time Net Worth #1507 Ranking as of 21 Feb 2026 By Forbes

More on Zhang Li

Gender

Male

Age

72Y

Country

China

Born On

November, 1953

Deceased

No

Relationship Status

Unknown

Children

Unknown

Education

Unknown

Designation Info :

Self-Made

Yes

Entrepreneur Type

Self-Made (Real Estate)

Primary Organization

R&F Properties

Titles

Co-Founder & Co-Chairman

Sources of Wealth

R&F Properties

Industry

Real Estate, Construction, Hospitality

About Zhang Li


Z hang Li is a Chinese real estate tycoon and the co-founder and co-chairman of R&F Properties, a major Chinese property developer. A former government official, he co-founded the Guangzhou-based company in 1994 with his partner, Li Sze Lim. They have since built R&F into a major national player with a large and diversified portfolio of residential and commercial properties, including a significant number of luxury hotels.

Like many Chinese developers, R&F experienced massive growth during China's long real estate boom but has also faced significant challenges and liquidity pressures during the recent severe downturn in the Chinese property market. The company has a significant portfolio of international properties, including major projects in London and Australia. Zhang is also known for being a key figure in a U.S. bribery and corruption case involving a San Francisco city official, for which the company's U.S. affiliate pleaded guilty and paid a large fine.

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Quick Reads


  • Co-founder and Co-chairman of the Chinese real estate developer R&F Properties.
  • He co-founded the company in 1994 with Li Sze Lim.
  • The company has a large portfolio of residential and commercial properties, including hotels.
  • Has been impacted by the recent property crisis in China.
  • He was involved in a major U.S. bribery case.

Early Life and Background


Zhang Li is a Chinese businessman, the self-made billionaire Co-founder and Former Executive Chairman of Guangzhou R&F Properties Co., Ltd. (HKSE: 2777), a major property developer specializing in large-scale residential and commercial projects. His career is rooted in real estate development, construction, and entrepreneurial audacity.

Zhang's philosophical approach centers on scale, vertical integration, and long-term commitment to urban commercial development (pioneering the modern integrated urban development model). He co-founded R&F Properties in 1994 with Li Sze Lim.

  • R&F Properties (Co-founder & Former Chairman): The core publicly traded asset, a major property developer specializing in residential and commercial real estate (known for its luxury properties and large land bank).
  • Real Estate Focus: His success is built on scale development and dominating the domestic market for integrated commercial and residential properties.
  • Controversy/Crisis: His career has been marked by high leverage and the 2021 Chinese property market downturn, leading to debt restructuring challenges.
  • Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term investment in real estate infrastructure and aggressive expansion.

Career Journey of Zhang Li


Zhang Li's strategic genius was his commitment to timely, large-scale construction. He co-founded R&F Properties in 1994, successfully building it into a national powerhouse by acquiring and developing major urban projects. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the modern, scale property development model that transformed the Chinese urban landscape. The company successfully executed its IPO on the HKSE.

His structural contribution is tied to providing foundational housing and commercial infrastructure in rapidly growing Chinese cities. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable appreciation and profitability of the Chinese real estate and construction sectors (though facing immense market pressure since 2021).

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Zhang Li's Timeline


1994:

Co-founds Guangzhou R&F Properties with Li Sze Lim (Founding).

2005 (July):

R&F Properties executes its successful IPO on the HKSE (Financial Milestone).

2021–Ongoing:

R&F Properties faces severe liquidity crises during the Chinese property market downturn (Corporate Crisis).

Ongoing:

Continues as Co-founder and major shareholder, guiding the massive real estate empire (Executive Oversight).

Major Business Ventures and Investments


Zhang Li's wealth is concentrated in his founding equity and retained stake in the publicly traded real estate giant, Guangzhou R&F Properties Co., Ltd. (HKSE: 2777), and his private investments.

  • R&F Properties (Co-founder & Former Chairman): The core publicly traded asset, a major property developer specializing in residential and commercial real estate.
  • Real Estate Focus: His success is built on scale development and dominating the domestic market for integrated commercial and residential properties.
  • Controversy/Crisis: His career has been marked by high leverage and the 2021 Chinese property market downturn.
  • Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term investment in real estate infrastructure and aggressive expansion.

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Philanthropy and Social Impact


Zhang Li's social impact stems from R&F Properties' role in providing essential housing and commercial infrastructure across China, significantly contributing to urban development and job creation. His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives, often focused on poverty alleviation and disaster relief.

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

Fashion, Style, and Lifestyle


Zhang Li maintains the professional, composed style of a corporate executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a leader in the global property sector.

Residing in Guangzhou, China, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to real estate development, strategic planning, and corporate governance.

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Quotes and Philosophy


No publicly available quotes.

Fun Facts & Trivia


  • He is the Co-founder and Former Chairman of R&F Properties (major property developer).
  • R&F Properties is known for its integrated commercial and residential projects in Guangzhou.
  • The company was co-founded in 1994.
  • His fortune is tied to the successful monetization and scale of Chinese urbanization.
  • His philosophy emphasizes scale, vertical integration, and aggressive expansion.

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Sources & References


This profile is compiled from verified biographical and financial records:

  • Wealth Data: Real-time tracking and historical data from Forbes Billionaires and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • Biographical Records: Educational and career history sourced from Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and official university alumni directories.
  • Regulatory Filings: Shareholder and executive disclosures from stock exchange databases, including HKEX, SSE, SZSE, and SEC EDGAR.
  • Corporate History: Primary data from annual company reports, founding charters, and verified press announcements.

All information is cross-referenced with public sources for accuracy; some narrative sections are AI-assisted summaries.

If you find any inaccuracies, please report them to admin@redcarpetlife.in

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