Huang Guangyu [File Photo: sina.com]
A Hong Kong-based company which is backed by China's home appliance tycoon Huang Guangyu is bidding for a retired British aircraft carrier in auction with plans to alter it into a luxury exhibition platform, The Beijing News reports.
Zhao Qiguang from Eagle Vantage Asset Management Limited is in charge of the bidding plan. He said the company attempts to expand its business through the move. If they succeed, Eagle will alter the British Royal Navy's former flagship HMS Ark Royal into the world's largest floating exhibition centre for high-end products.
Zhao did not reveal Eagle's bidding price but hinted that the result will come out in middle July.
Providing services in home appliances, electronic product sales and real estate sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland, Eagle's biggest shareholder is Huang Guangyu, the founder and former chairman of GOME, China's largest electronics retailer.
Huang, once China's richest man, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegal business dealings, insider trading and corporate bribery in May last year.
However, the business move has no direct links with Huang, according to Zhao. "Although he is a big shareholder, Huang does not intervene in the company's operations, and the bidding plan was determined by the whole administrative group." Zhao added.
Although Huang Guangyu is also a large shareholder of GOME, Zhao clarified that the Hong Kong-listed company has no connection with the plan, as Eagle is owned by Huang as an individual.
GOME's vice president He Qingyang confirmed Zhao's words. He also said that GOME is very interested in the innovative platform which explores a new sales mode.
