Huang Xiangmo
Huang Xiangmo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chaozhou, China |
| Occupation(s) | Real estate developer, CEO of Yuhu Group |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Known for | CEO of Yuhu Group; political donations in Australia; denied entry to Australia on national security grounds |
Huang Xiangmo () is a billionaire from China specializing in real estate development and serves as the CEO of Yuhu Group. Formerly an Australian permanent resident and political contributor, he was subsequently denied entry to Australia on grounds related to national security. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation advised then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to refrain from attending events or fundraisers connected to Huang due to these security concerns.
Early life
Huang's place of birth is Chaozhou, China.
Career
As the chief executive officer of Yuhu Group, Huang leads a property development firm based in Sydney. He also held the position of honorary chairman for the Sixth Advisory Group of the Australian Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China.
Huang has contributed close to 2.7 million AUD to various Australian political parties, either directly or through corporate entities. These financial contributions have been scrutinized amid allegations that they serve as part of influence operations orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, with the objective of shaping Australian policy to favor China's interests. Following the cancellation of his permanent residency, a paid advertisement supporting Huang—published in three Chinese-language newspapers in Australia—was endorsed by over 120 community organizations, many reportedly affiliated with the United Front.
He hosted then-federal Labor leader Bill Shorten as the guest of honour at his daughter’s wedding held at Sydney’s Shangri-La Hotel.
In February 2019, Australian officials rejected Huang's application for citizenship and revoked his permanent residency status, effectively preventing his return to Australia. His immediate family members hold Australian citizenship. Huang publicly urged political parties to return his donations and criticized Australia by labeling it a "giant baby."
Huang is currently involved in a tax dispute with the Australian Taxation Office concerning an alleged understatement of income totaling 141 million AUD during the years 2013 to 2015.
In 2019, the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption examined claims that Huang made an illegal cash donation of 100,000 AUD to NSW Labor in 2015. This investigation resulted in the resignation of Labor General Secretary Kaila Murnain and implicated former politician Ernest Wong; Huang denied providing this donation. Additionally, former Labor Senator Sam Dastyari was connected to a related controversy involving Chinese donations linked to Huang, which contributed to Dastyari’s resignation from the Senate in January 2018.
Investigative reports revealed that Huang provided advice to Crown Resorts on managing relations with Chinese officials after Crown employees were detained in China for promoting gambling activities, underscoring his role in facilitating corporate interactions with Chinese authorities.
Personal life
Huang relocated to Australia in 2011.
By 2018, he was living in a $12.8 million residence located in Beauty Point, Mosman, Sydney.
In 2016, his daughter Carina wed Evan (Xiaozhi) Luo at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney.
His son Jimmy Huang earned a bachelor's degree in economics. In January 2018, AWH Investment Group—which is equally owned by Jimmy Huang and his brother-in-law Evan Luo—purchased two significant apartment developments at Circular Quay and the Gold Coast from Wanda Group, China’s largest property developer, for $1.119 billion AUD. Both Jimmy Huang and Evan Luo hold Australian citizenship.