Chinese auto glass tycoon releases autobiography
- By Chen Boyuan
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E-mail China.org.cn, December 18, 2014
Cao Dewang, the founder and chairman of China's largest auto glass manufacturer, Fuyao Group, released "My Heart is Like the Bodhi," his first-ever autobiography, on Wednesday at Peking University in Beijing.
In the book, Cao uses a first-person narrative to talk about his growth both as a person and as an entrepreneur who started from scratch. In great detail, he describes how Fuyao managed to defend itself in two major anti-dumping probes launched by Canada and the United States, respectively, in 2001 and 2005. Cao also notes that Fuyao became the first Chinese company to sue the U.S. Commerce Department and win.
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Cao Dewang, the founder and chairman of China's largest auto glass manufacturer, Fuyao Group, released "My Heart is Like the Bodhi," his first-ever autobiography, on Wednesday at Peking University in Beijing. [Photo by Chen Boyuan/China.org.cn] |
Cao said the book was intended to pass on the wisdom he gained from his experiences to other Chinese entrepreneurs. He also stated that the book fulfills a promise he made to introduce emerging entrepreneurship in China to established businessmen in the United States, where he has a strong business presence.
In his heavily accented Mandarin, the auto glass giant assured launch ceremony attendees that he did not write the book to "get famous" or "make money," and that he "actually wrote the book" as opposed to consigning it to ghostwriters. Cao encouraged readers to challenge him to recall any facts or details from the book, as he insisted he could "remember them all."
Cao's assurance was an allusion to the fact many Chinese entrepreneurs rush to publish their own books, but few actually write these books personally or are even capable of doing so.
Cao's publisher, Huang Shuyuan, president of Renmin Publishing House, confirmed that the book was a condensation of Cao's inner reflections. He likened the narrative style to that of an old chap sharing all the stories of his life. "You will find the writing as unaffected as his own personality," Huang said.
Cao told students at Peking University that he suffered an impoverished childhood and did not have the chance to go to college, but he managed to teach himself accounting, quality management and business management, and he applied this knowledge to his corporate management.
"I never went to college, but I respect knowledge very much. Over the years, I have insisted on getting up early and spending two hours reading. The younger generation in China, like you, have a broad future, but that's only possible if you keep learning," said Cao.
The book's name, "My Heart is Like the Bodhi," is a reference to Buddhism. Cao explained that he indeed wanted to highlight his Buddhist beliefs, acknowledging that his spiritual practice and mental epiphany were "achievements" he considers on par with his successful entrepreneurship. Both are described in his book.
However, Cao frankly admitted that one "disadvantage" of being a practicing Buddhist and entrepreneur is that investors may not be happy to find out that a company is managed by a religious man.
"I used to go to a Buddhist temple to get divinations when I met with obstacles. But now that the company has gone public, if I continue to do that, I may not look good, and that's not good for the company's image," he said.
In his review, Zhao Qizheng, former minister of the State Council Information Office, hailed Cao as one of the excellent entrepreneurs who responded to the nation's call to implement good policies that "contribute to the country's advancement."
"If people ask whether the Chinese Dream has been realized, I will tell them to read about Cao Dewang. If Americans worry about losing jobs because Chinese companies are coming, I will tell them to read about Cao Dewang. If people defame Chinese entrepreneurs and call them nouveau riche, I will tell them to read about Cao Dewang," said Zhao.
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