Lanxiang became a household name through whacky ads for excavator training courses. However, in recent years, what headlines there have been dominated by personal disputes and scandals.
Photo from CFP
By CHEN Zhenfang
After two years of struggle, Shandong Lanxiang Education Technology Group has reached the end of its course.
Lanxiang became a household name through whacky ads for excavator training courses. However, in recent years, what headlines there have been dominated by personal disputes and scandals involving founder RONG Lanxiang.
In 1984, Rong established Shandong Lanxiang Technician College and began to expand into real estate, finance and driver education. Among these ventures, the real estate dealings ignited a fierce conflict between Rong and his wife, KONG Suying.
This dispute triggered a chain reaction of violence, a bitter divorce battle, and numerous legal cases that sent Rong's business spiraling into decline. At the college, enrollment dwindled while expenses soared.
In an attempt to save his empire, Rong transferred five of his companies to his son and today only one of Rong's companies remains operational.
