Speaker Profile: Lu Jianzhong

Lu Jianzhong is Chairman of the Tang West Market Investment Group (Da Tang Xi Shi), a company with assets of CNY 40 billion in developments that combine cultural industries with commercial projects throughout China.

Mr Lu is a national member in the Economy Domain of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (since 2003). He has been appointed to leadership positions in numerous business and cultural organisations in China, including as Vice-Chairman of the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC). The CCOIC represents the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in China, as ICC China.

As Chairman of the Tang West Market Investment Group, Mr Lu led the preservation of the rare and valuable Silk Road cultural heritage and the business heritage of the Chinese Tang dynasty. Investing CYN 10 million in the Tang West Market project over the past decade, he has established the Tang West Market Museum – China's first private capital cultural institution protecting historical heritage. He also initiated many cultural industry projects, including the Silk Road Culture Street, Tang West Market Hotel, the International Art & Antique Trade Centre, West Market Shopping Mall and Intangible Cultural Heritage Town.

In support of Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal to "jointly build the Silk Road Economic Zone", TW MG is working with the International Chamber of Commerce, UNESCO, the China Chamber of International Commerce, the UN World Tourism Organization and others to initiate the "Five Silk Projects", to rejuvenate the glory and connectivity of the ancient Silk Road. The "Five Silk Projects" has received solid support both domestically and abroad, and is highly rated by the international community of culture, tourism and commerce.

He currently lives with his wife and two children in China's geographical centre - Xi'an City - known historically as Chang'an, the capital city of ancient China for 13 dynasties.

Lu Jianzhong's business and cultural leadership has been widely recognised by numerous awards and titles including the following:

Special Government Allowances of the State Council as a National Expert; Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); member of the Economic Committee of CPPCC; Vice President of China Chamber Of International Commerce (CCOIC); Chairman of the Cultural Industry Committee of CCOIC; Vice President of China Private Cultural Industry Chamber of Commerce; President of Private Museum Cooperative; the Executive Committee member of the All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, and Consultant of the Association of Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection. He has won "The Third Session of National Outstanding Builders of the Chinese Characteristic Socialism"; "Generation to Generation-Annual Outstanding Figures of China Cultural Heritage Protection"; "Chinese Culture Figures"; "Annual Figures of Chinese People"; "Top Ten Figures of China Private Enterprises"; "the Outstanding Shaanxi Businessman"; "Annual Figures of Culture Industry in 2013".