Many Chinese entrepreneurs have set foot in NL.

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When Vivat (from brands such as SNS Reaal and Zwitserleven) announced it has agreed with a takeover by Anbang, most people never heard of this illustrious and cash-rich Chinese company, let alone the founder Xiaohui Wu, who founded the company only 11 years ago. Telecom giant Huawei, car maker BYD, insurance software developer eBaotech, and diary producer Yili are among the many that have set foot in the Dutch market. Many of the overseas Chinese companies are not state-owned but privately owned, founded and run by star entrepreneurs, who gain celebrity status in China.

Who are these entrepreneurs? Where do they come from? What is driving these private companies?

Not long ago, private entrepreneurs were seen as the signs of unwanted capitalism. In the early phase of opening up, 1978-1992,...

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