The Dawu Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Group originated in 1985 from a humble collection of 1,000 chickens and 50 pigs. Founded by Sun Dawu in the People's Republic of China, this enterprise eventually expanded into a massive conglomerate encompassing real estate, education, healthcare, and animal feed production within the Hebei province.
Early Career and Expansion
Sun Dawu began his professional life after completing junior high school, serving in the 82nd Division of the 28th Group Army of the People's Liberation Army and later working at the Agricultural Bank of Xushui County. By 1995, his company ranked among the top 500 private businesses in the country. He became a significant local figure, serving as a Deputy to the Baoding Municipal People's Congress and chairing the Baoding Poultry and Egg Industry Federation. His business model included the construction of Dawu City, a self-contained town featuring a 1,000-bed hospital and a school where he served as principal.
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Sun frequently challenged government authority by hosting dissidents and financing the legal costs of human rights lawyers involved in the 709 crackdown. His company website became a platform for critical discourse, which led to a 15,000 yuan fine and a six-month shutdown in 2003. He publicly opposed state policies and questioned the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party, further straining his relationship with officials. Additionally, he accused the government of mismanaging an African swine flu outbreak in 2019 that caused severe financial losses for his agricultural operations.
Legal Prosecutions
In 2003, authorities arrested Sun for allegedly raising 180 million yuan illegally, though he maintained he was merely borrowing funds. Despite support from academics and lawyers, he received a three-year prison sentence with four years of probation, alongside a 100,000 yuan fine. In November 2020, Sun was detained again following a dispute over land with a state farm. Following a closed-door trial characterized by allegations of torture and forced confessions, he was sentenced in July 2021 to 18 years in prison for charges including picking quarrels and provoking trouble. The court also imposed a 3.11 million yuan fine.
Fast facts
- Born: 1954
- Founder: Dawu Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Group
- Wife: Liu Huiru
- 2021 Sentence: 18 years imprisonment
- 2021 Fine: 3.11 million yuan
- Key Business Location: Hebei, China
Questions readers ask
What led to Sun Dawu's initial legal trouble in 2003?
He was arrested for raising 180 million yuan, a move the authorities classified as illegal fundraising, though he claimed to be borrowing the funds.
What was the final outcome of the 2020 arrest?
In July 2021, Sun was sentenced to 18 years in prison for charges including picking quarrels, provoking trouble, and illegally occupying farmland.
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