Chinese billionaire and JD.com founder Liu Qiangdong has unveiled a 15 billion RMB ($2.17 billion) yacht project in Dalian after signing an agreement with the city government on March 25. His company, Shenzhen Sea Expandary Yacht Industry, will build a manufacturing line, city showroom, and service port there. Sea Expandary launched in February with a personal 5 billion RMB ($724 million) pledge and has since signed agreements with Shenzhen and Zhuhai. Liu aims to produce a 100,000 RMB ($14,500) yacht for average consumers. He has reportedly secured orders for five 72m catamarans at approximately 60 million euros ($69 million) each.
Related reading: China signals: C-beauty’s rise, Arc’teryx’s resilience, a tycoon’s yacht bet