He attained enlightenment through trials and tribulations.

— Tracing the three stages of the life of Chen Bailiang, Chairman of the Board of Yuegong Group

Shaoxing is known as the “City of Celebrities,” a place where outstanding figures have emerged generation after generation, its history rich with illustrious names and renowned personalities who have captivated both China and the world. In a letter to Xiao Jun dated August 24, 1935, Lu Xun wrote: “My grandfather was an official; it was only with my father that our family fell into poverty. So in truth, I am the son of a once‑prosperous but now impoverished clan. Yet I am deeply grateful for my father’s decline—he never knew how to make money—because it taught me so much.” Truly a great man, Lu Xun managed to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity. Chen Bailiang may not be a towering figure, yet he was profoundly influenced by Lu Xun at a subconscious level, ultimately cultivating his character and becoming a successful entrepreneur. Tracing the three distinct phases of Chen Bailiang’s life, each one is stirring and immensely enlightening. He embodies the spirit of “cultivating oneself amidst hardship, savoring what lies beyond fortune and misfortune, success and failure.”

Nowadays, the post‑80s generation is often seen as one that has never known hardship. As a member of that cohort myself, I am truly grateful to have been able to enjoy the economic foundation laid by my parents’ generation, living without worry about food and clothing. Yet what I admire most are the entrepreneurs among them—those who, in an era marked by backwardness and isolation, kindled the blazing flame of entrepreneurship. Some resigned from their jobs to strike out on their own, while others pressed forward with determination, growing through relentless struggle and leaving behind for younger generations both invaluable spiritual and material legacies. Life inevitably subjects us to the unrelenting trials of time—some remain constant through the ages, while others shift with the changing tides of history and circumstance. Chen Bailiang, the pivotal figure who has guided Yuegong Holding Group through two decades, has a life story that is both rich and legendary, making him one of the “most admirable people” of the new century. Amid his warm, hearty laughter, the reporter traces the three distinct phases of Chen’s journey, as if deciphering fragments of China’s early reform‑era economic development—and of the evolution of its steel‑structure industry.  

 
Chairman of the Board and President of Yuegong Holdings Group, Chen Bailiang

“Even when you’re a farmer, you should be a knowledgeable farmer.”

In October 1957, Chen Bailiang was born into an ordinary rural family in Tashan Village, Xinchang County, Zhejiang Province. The family was extremely poor; his father fell ill from overwork, and soon after, three more sons were added to the household. As the eldest son, he had no choice but to shoulder the responsibility of supporting his family—doing farm work, herding cattle, cutting fodder for pigs, handling chores, and caring for his younger brothers. People are often like this: unless pushed to their limits, they rarely realize just how much potential they possess. When you persevere until you can’t go on any longer, when your determination reaches its absolute peak, that’s when things begin to fall into place. In Chen Bailiang’s veins flowed the essence of his parents’ blood—carrying forward not only their genes but also their character and values. As the eldest son, he proved himself fully up to the task. Was it the unique soil and water of Shaoxing that nurtured a love of culture, or the enduring influence of celebrated figures who inspired generation after generation of local students? Even under such difficult circumstances, the boy’s thirst for knowledge remained undiminished. At school, in the pasture, and out in the fields, he shuttled back and forth along the country lanes. In 1972, with outstanding grades, Chen Bailiang became the only student from his village recommended to attend high school that year. With just twenty cents in his pocket, he set off on foot, carrying a shoulder pole—one end laden with books and rice, the other with clothes and pickled vegetables. On weekends, he hurried home to tend to the farm. “It was during those two years at the county high school that I truly began to study,” he recalls. “That period had a profound impact on my life. I treasured every opportunity, burying myself in the library, oblivious even as sweat soaked through my clothes. When I first entered class, my grades were among the lowest; yet by the end of the semester, I had become the class study committee member. By graduation, I scored 100 in physics, 98 in math, and over 90 in Chinese.” Reflecting on Chen Bailiang’s educational journey, one cannot help but picture a bright‑faced youth, shouldering a pole, his face alight with sunshine.

In the 1950s and 1960s, in Xinchang County, Zhejiang, each township produced only about a dozen high school graduates per year, so even a high school diploma was considered quite an achievement. Lacking any influential connections, after graduating from high school, Chen Bailiang spent four years back in his rural hometown—working as a production team accountant, a plant protection worker, and a science and technology instructor, diligently studying scientific farming methods and even cultivating hybrid rice. From that time on, his resolve grew ever stronger. At the time, books were a luxury and hard to come by, but he spared no expense in acquiring a series of texts on scientific agriculture—such as “Rice Science,” “Plant Protection,” and “Pest and Disease Control”—to study and research. As Chen Bailiang put it, “I had done every kind of work in the countryside, and I resolved that if I were to be a farmer, I would be a knowledgeable one.” Today, a popular saying goes: “There are two things in life that are particularly difficult—one is getting your ideas into someone else’s head, and the other is getting someone else’s money into your own pocket.” For Chen Bailiang, it seems he has accomplished both. He organized cultural education programs in the village, established evening schools, and mobilized young Communist Youth League members to engage in volunteer labor—reaping rice during the day and studying at night. Under his leadership, this kind of activity spread throughout the entire township.

Everyone knows the saying, “Only by enduring the bitterest hardships can one rise to the highest ranks.” Yet how many truly grasp its meaning and put it into practice? Chen Bailiang willingly endured trials others had never faced and bore burdens no one else had borne, honing himself in adversity. After the downfall of the Gang of Four, in 1977 the county recommended him to serve as a member of the Party Committee and secretary of the Communist Youth League at the commune level. A year later, he was transferred to the post of deputy secretary of the county Youth League Committee. To many, his official career seemed off to a promising start, proceeding smoothly with bright prospects for further advancement. But he remained unsatisfied. Deep down, his heart longed to attend university—yet when he graduated from high school, lacking connections and endorsements, that dream seemed out of reach. Now, an opportunity had finally presented itself.

From an “uphill road” to a “downhill road”

In 1977, when the national college entrance examination was reinstated, Chen Bailiang requested to take the test, but the secretary of the commune Party committee was reluctant to let such a talented individual go and refused to allow him to sit for the exam. Undeterred, after transferring to the County Communist Youth League Committee, he continued to press the matter repeatedly—eventually securing his admission to Zhejiang University’s Department of Management. It was precisely this stubborn decision that ultimately transformed Chen Bailiang’s life, providing him with the foundation to “leave public office and enter business.”

As his graduation from Zhejiang University approached, the county party committee dispatched representatives to the university to engage with Chen Bailiang, mapping out a promising career path for him: he would be assigned back to Xinchang County, beginning with the county organization department, where he would spearhead institutional reform and assess the leadership team, before being positioned as a candidate for deputy county magistrate in charge of industry. However, Chen Bailiang, believing he lacked experience in industrial management, insisted on working directly within enterprises. Ultimately, the county still appointed him deputy director of the county’s Bureau of Industry. At the bureau, he took the lead in overhauling enterprises, advancing reform and opening-up, and restructuring the leadership team, breathing new life into many struggling firms and setting them on a trajectory of healthy growth. A year later, as Chinese government departments began promoting talent through a “diverse array” of opportunities, Chen Bailiang was transferred to the Organization Department of the Shaoxing Municipal Party Committee. During his three years there, he moved between government offices and enterprises, ventured into rural areas to gauge public sentiment, and devoted himself to studying Party building, enhancing the role of Party organizations and members, and vigorously supporting economic development. To most, the post in the Organization Department seemed a coveted “fat position”—a crucial stepping stone for career advancement. Yet even in this pivotal role, Chen Bailiang remained restless; at his persistent request, in 1987 he was reassigned from the Shaoxing Municipal Party Committee’s Organization Department to Zhejiang Heilmans Group Co., Ltd. (formerly the Zhejiang Shaoxing Bicycle General Factory), where he served as vice chairman and executive deputy general manager, overseeing corporate management and financial operations.

To most people, working in a government agency is a “golden rice bowl”—one of the most promising career paths available at the time—especially in a department like the Organization Department, which promises a bright professional future. Yet Chen Bailiang remained unsatisfied; he always knew what he wanted and resolutely moved forward toward that goal. To those around him, he might have seemed foolish or even mad—some even believed he had been “exiled” after making a mistake within the organization. But he stuck to his own style, pursued his passions, and held fast to his principles. Leaving behind Xinchang County and the municipal government, driven by the conviction that “only by boosting China’s economy can the people live happy lives, and only then will future generations avoid the hardships of my own childhood,” he threw himself into the corporate world and dedicated himself to the development of the steel‑structure industry.

Go out and be a great leader for your company.

Chen Bailiang is the kind of person who dedicates himself wholeheartedly to whatever he does, fully committing to the work he has chosen and loves. Upon joining the factory, his aspiration was to become an outstanding leader. Unlike government agencies, enterprises operate on quantifiable metrics, with data serving as the ultimate arbiter. When he first arrived at the Zhejiang Shaoxing Bicycle General Factory, he took charge of corporate management and finance. His conviction to “be a good corporate leader” consistently guided him as he spearheaded sweeping institutional reforms at the Shaoxing Bicycle Factory, propelling the enterprise into rapid growth and establishing it as one of the city’s most profitable and largest companies. The reform concepts he advanced—such as the “mixed economy,” the “one company, multiple systems” model, and the implementation of a flexible wage system—were groundbreaking at the time. In pursuit of these ideas, he published numerous articles in domestic journals like “Enterprise Management.” During visits to the company, then‑General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Jiang Zemin and Premier Wen Jiabao both expressed their full approval and high praise.

Each of Chen Bailiang’s career transitions seems perfectly timed. While undergoing training in Japan in 1992, he recognized the robust market demand and vast development potential of steel‑structure construction. Through relentless effort, he successfully attracted Japanese investment and, in the same year, founded Zhejiang Yuegong Steel Components Co., Ltd., a Sino‑Japanese joint venture—making him one of the pioneering visionaries who foresaw the future of steel structures. At that time, steel‑frame buildings were still rare in China, and entrenched public perceptions and limited production technologies posed significant barriers to their widespread adoption. Yet Chen remained steadfast: “We must follow the path already traveled by developed nations. With China’s massive construction sector, steel‑structure development is the way forward.” After leading Yuegong Steel for a decade, the 45‑year‑old Chen set his sights on expanding the company beyond its home base. In 2003, capitalizing on the economic growth potential of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region and the Bohai Rim, he relocated the business to Shandong, establishing Shandong Yuegong Steel Components Co., Ltd. By leveraging local preferential policies, he not only overcame regional constraints on steel‑structure applications but also opened up new avenues for market expansion. Every step Chen took was carefully calculated; what appeared coincidental was, in fact, inevitable—thanks largely to the insights he gained from his years working in government. As he put it, “China’s management model should integrate individual ambition with national responsibility.” Beyond steel structures, Chen broadened his horizons to other sectors, venturing into chemicals, real estate, and finance. His diversification strategy began in 2007 with the acquisition of a chemical plant in Henan, coinciding with the local government’s “land‑for‑development” incentive program. The stipulation was simple: relocate the plant to a new industrial zone and ensure proper resettlement of the workforce. At the time, Chen set two primary objectives: first, to identify new growth drivers while continuing to strengthen the core steel‑structure business; second, to extend the group’s reach into real estate. Whether introducing steel‑structure technology to China or helping the government navigate challenges, Chen’s actions reflected not only the keen insight of a shrewd businessman but also a deep sense of social responsibility as an entrepreneur.

In today’s business environment, competition hinges on talent, which stands as the most critical driver of corporate growth. Recognizing the paramount importance of human capital, Chen Bailiang personally spearheaded the development of the “Yuègōng Talent‑Driven Development Framework” in 2011. This initiative outlines a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Yuègōng’s talent pool through internal training, overseas development programs with subsequent return to the company, and the recruitment of top-tier professionals from across the globe.

Chen Bailiang possesses a heart that treats others with sincerity and nurtures people with genuine care. His guiding principle is “treat others with honesty, and conduct affairs with trustworthiness.” In terms of interpersonal relations, he insists that every employee uphold integrity in all actions and at all times—especially within the marketing department, where he places particular emphasis on ethical conduct in both personal interactions and professional dealings. As for talent development, he adheres to a win-win partnership model between the company and educational institutions, maintaining close collaborations with numerous local colleges and universities. He has also established the “Yuegong Scholarship” at these institutions, continuously recruiting outstanding graduates to join the company and ensuring its sustained vitality. At the same time, he regularly sends employees to specialized training centers for advanced learning; for instance, he dispatched 32 individuals to Japan for a year-long program focused on the design, fabrication, and installation of steel‑structure buildings, as well as related management practices. This approach ensures that his staff receive not only professional growth but also a supportive, caring work environment. Under his leadership and mentorship, three of his employees have been honored as provincial or ministerial model workers, and one receives a special government allowance from the State Council. He has cultivated a large pool of skilled professionals in the steel‑structure field; in 2009 alone, 85 employees were promoted to engineer positions, forming a robust workforce capable of meeting current production demands and future industry needs. Moreover, several of his former trainees have gone on to become chairpersons or senior executives at other renowned steel‑structure companies. Although they are peers—and sometimes even competitors in business—he never harbors resentment; instead, he remains attentive to their progress, offering proactive assistance whenever they encounter challenges and dispatching expert technicians to provide guidance and support. His dedication has earned him deep respect and admiration throughout the steel‑structure industry.

As a member of the Steel Association, his favorite catchphrases were: “It’s only natural,” and “We should all help one another and strive to improve together—haha.” That was him—exactly how his colleagues saw him. Within the company, he approached every matter with fairness and integrity, and he cultivated a distinctive corporate culture of his own.

For his outstanding contributions to the industry, Chen Bailiang has been widely acclaimed and honored with prestigious awards such as the “Zhejiang Province Outstanding Contribution Award in Steel Structure,” “Top Ten General Managers of the Provincial Steel Association,” and “National Outstanding Project Manager.” He has also been appointed as a visiting professor by numerous universities.

Chen Bailiang has been with the company for 25 years now. Looking back, he feels deeply fulfilled; to him, every stage of life has been a valuable asset. He readily admits that his conscientious, hardworking, and resilient character was forged in the harsh environment of rural life. For a child from a poor family with no connections, what else could one rely on to achieve today’s success but relentless effort? Meanwhile, his years in government service elevated his outlook and broadened his perspective. As President Chen puts it with a smile, “Being in public office means looking down from above, which cultivates a habit of viewing issues from multiple angles and across all dimensions. The ability to assess national development trends, think ahead, make sound decisions, and engage effectively with others—all these skills were honed during my time as a cadre. And more than two decades of striving in the corporate world have further strengthened my courage and decisiveness.”

Speaking of Yuegong’s future, Chen Bailiang already has a clear vision. Back in 2006, he put forward the strategic concept of “Yuegong’s Second Entrepreneurial Venture,” and over the past six years, this approach has proven successful, enabling the company to surpass its previous achievements and expand further. Now, as Yuegong celebrates its 20th anniversary, he has refined his strategic direction and formulated a long-term vision for the company, confident that under his leadership, Yuegong will advance with greater stability and strength.
　　 In CCTV’s “Winning in China,” there is a classic line that categorizes entrepreneurs: “First‑rate entrepreneurs are shrewd and upright; second‑rate entrepreneurs are shrewd and even shrewder—like some Wenzhou merchants; third‑rate entrepreneurs are upright and overly so, suited to the political arena.” So which category does Chen Bailiang belong to?