{{Short description|Chinese-Australian property developer (born 1949)}} {{family name hatnote|Chau|lang=Chinese}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Chau Chak Wing | other_names = {{ubl|{{lang-zh|s=周泽荣}}|{{lang-zh|t=周澤榮}}|{{lang-zh|p=Zhōu Zéróng}}|{{lang-zh|sl=Jau<sup>1</sup> Jaak<sup>6</sup>-wing<sup>4</sup>}}}} | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1949}} | birth_place = Guangdong, China | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | restingplace = | education = | alma mater = | occupation = Real estate businessman | title = Chairman, Kingold Group | term = | predecessor = | successor = | known for = | boards = | spouse = | parents = | children = | relations = | website = }}

'''Chau Chak-wing''' ({{lang-zh|s=周泽荣|t=周澤榮|p=Zhōu Zéróng|sl=Jau<sup>1</sup> Jaak<sup>6</sup>-wing<sup>4</sup>}}; born 1949),<ref>{{cite news|url=http://finance.ifeng.com/people/comchief/zhouzerong.shtml|script-title=zh:周泽荣详细资料|publisher=Phoenix Television|access-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908002736/http://finance.ifeng.com/people/comchief/zhouzerong.shtml|archive-date=8 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> is a Chinese-Australian<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2018-06-12|title=Chinese-Australian billionaire says Fairfax story made him out to be a 'criminal'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jun/12/chinese-australian-billionaire-says-fairfax-story-made-him-out-to-be-a-criminal|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-13|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612121155/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jun/12/chinese-australian-billionaire-says-fairfax-story-made-him-out-to-be-a-criminal |archive-date=2018-06-12 }}</ref> property developer known for his Kingold Group business based in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China (PRC).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2015-08-07 |title=The billionaire who bought Australia's most expensive home |language=en-US |newspaper=Australian Financial Review |url=http://www.afr.com/real-estate/the-billionaire-who-bought-australias-most-expensive-home-20150806-git16q |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2016-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817120807/http://www.afr.com/real-estate/the-billionaire-who-bought-australias-most-expensive-home-20150806-git16q |archive-date=2017-08-17}}</ref> Journalists and think tanks have reported on Chau's links to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) entities and interests throughout his career.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Galloway |first=Anthony |date=2022-02-15 |title=Who is Chau Chak Wing? The alleged 'puppeteer' behind foreign interference plot |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-is-chau-chak-wing-the-alleged-puppeteer-behind-foreign-interference-plot-20220215-p59wjt.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126184221/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-is-chau-chak-wing-the-alleged-puppeteer-behind-foreign-interference-plot-20220215-p59wjt.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=USCC>{{cite web |last=Bowe |first=Alexander |date=24 August 2018 |title=China's Overseas United Front Work |url=https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Research/China%27s%20Overseas%20United%20Front%20Work%20-%20Background%20and%20Implications%20for%20US_final_0.pdf |publisher=U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=9 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909101348/https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/Research/China%27s%20Overseas%20United%20Front%20Work%20-%20Background%20and%20Implications%20for%20US_final_0.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life and career== Chau was born in Guangdong Province, PRC. He has been described as being either of Chaozhou or Shantou heritage.<ref name="cccsmh">{{Cite news |last=Christensen |first=John Garnaut, Deborah Snow and Nic |date=2009-07-03 |title=Cool, calm and connected |language=en |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/cool-calm-and-connected-20090703-d7tp.html |access-date=2019-09-13 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216043559/https://www.smh.com.au/world/cool-calm-and-connected-20090703-d7tp.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Chau emigrated from Chaozhou to Hong Kong in the 1970s. After further emigrating to Australia in the 1980s, he returned to live in Guangdong in 1988.<ref name=cccsmh/>

In the early 1990s, Chau founded the Kingold Group{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} (sometimes referred to as the Qiao Xin Group).<ref>{{cite web |last=Tree |first=North |title=At the beginning of the "Chaoshan rich" Ji Haipeng's family history, his daughter is the prototype of Qu Xiaoxiu in "Ode to Joy" |url=https://www.laitimes.com/en/article/3sowl_49dvr.html |date=1 September 2022 |access-date=27 March 2023 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327233652/https://www.laitimes.com/en/article/3sowl_49dvr.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Surprise Zhou Zerong |url=http://www.sjfzxm.com/global/en/100115.html |access-date=27 March 2023 |date=11 June 2007 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327233653/http://www.sjfzxm.com/global/en/100115.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The group's main interests are property, finance, education, hospitality, healthcare and media.<ref name=UTS />

In 2004, Chau received an honorary doctorate from Keuka College in the United States.<ref name=SMH0907 />

In September 2005, Chau founded the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association (ACFEA).<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Rotator - April 2019 edition|url=https://www.absc.online/docs/The%20Rotator%20-%20April%202019%20edition.pdf|website=www.absc.online|publisher=Australian Business Summit Council|access-date=18 October 2021|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018131642/https://www.absc.online/docs/The%20Rotator%20-%20April%202019%20edition.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=About Us - Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association|url=https://www.acfea.org.au/about-us|website=www.acfea.org.au|access-date=18 October 2021|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018131642/https://www.acfea.org.au/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=ACFAE's website|date=March 2023}}

Since August 2011, Chau has served as the chairman for the Guangdong Huaxing Bank, previously serving as a director.<ref>{{cite web |title=董事长周泽荣先生 |url=http://www.ghbank.com.cn/tzzgx/gszl/dsh/202302/t20230214_23600.html |website=Guangdong Huaxing Bank |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323064204/http://www.ghbank.com.cn/tzzgx/gszl/dsh/202302/t20230214_23600.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''New Express Daily''=== In 2001, Chau joint-ventured with the Guangzhou, PRC, provincial government's ''Yangcheng Evening News'' to commence publishing the ''New Express Daily'' there.<ref name="SMH0907">{{cite news |author1=Garnaut, John |author2=Snow, Deborah |author3=Christensen, Nic |date=4 July 2009 |title=Behind the mysterious Dr Chau |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/behind-the-mysterious-dr-chau-20090703-d7si.html?_ga=2.266654150.937947247.1551542815-1367994487.1551542815 |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044207/https://www.smh.com.au/national/behind-the-mysterious-dr-chau-20090703-d7si.html?_ga=2.266654150.937947247.1551542815-1367994487.1551542815 |archive-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>

In 2004, Chau established the pro-Beijing ''The Australian New Express Daily'' ({{lang-zh|s=澳洲新快报}}), a simplified character Chinese-language newspaper published in Australia under the management of his daughter Winky Chow, a former ethnic policy affairs adviser to New South Wales State Premier Bob Carr.<ref>{{cite news |last=Han |first=Misa |date=13 June 2018 |title=Businessman Chau Chak Wing tried to build 'web of patronage' |newspaper=Australian Financial Review |url=https://www.afr.com/business/media-and-marketing/businessman-chau-chak-wing-tried-to-build-web-of-patronage-20180613-h11bq6 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043118/https://www.afr.com/business/media-and-marketing/businessman-chau-chak-wing-tried-to-build-web-of-patronage-20180613-h11bq6 |archive-date=6 March 2019}}</ref> Carr presided over its official launch.<ref name=SMH0907 /> The newspaper has engaged directly in promotion of Chinese government interests in Australia.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last=Snow |first=Deborah |date=8 August 2009 |title=Tycoon denies crusade to 'dye Australia red' |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/tycoon-denies-crusade-to-dye-australia-red-20090807-eczc.html |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044518/https://www.smh.com.au/national/tycoon-denies-crusade-to-dye-australia-red-20090807-eczc.html |archive-date=6 March 2019}}</ref><ref name= Wikileaked>{{Cite news |last1=McKenzie |first1=Nick |last2=Baker |first2=Richard |date=2017-07-15 |title=Wikileaked: Billionaire Australian donor's Beijing links detailed in 'sensitive' diplomatic cable |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/wikileaked-billionaire-australian-donors-beijing-links-detailed-in-sensitive-diplomatic-cable-20170714-gxb21c.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130034645/https://www.smh.com.au/national/wikileaked-billionaire-australian-donors-beijing-links-detailed-in-sensitive-diplomatic-cable-20170714-gxb21c.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, Chau told ''The Age'' in an interview, "[t]he Chinese government has found this newspaper very commendable because we never have any negative reporting."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garnaut |first=John |date=2011-04-13 |title=Toeing the line |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/toeing-the-line-20110412-1dcj8.html |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130034649/https://www.smh.com.au/world/toeing-the-line-20110412-1dcj8.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Chinese foreign policy expert Bates Gill cited ''The Australian New Express Daily'' as an example of Chinese government influence.<ref name=USCC/>

''The Australian New Express Daily'' ceased printing newspapers in 2019 and eventually stopped updating its websites and social media in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lin |first=Yiu Wah |title=【本地中文傳媒寒冬】17年歷史《澳洲新快報》網站停刊 |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/chinese/zh-hant/article/australian-new-express-daily-ceased-publication/bu3qk9bg1 |date=1 April 2021 |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323061655/https://www.sbs.com.au/language/chinese/zh-hant/article/australian-new-express-daily-ceased-publication/bu3qk9bg1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Personal life == Chau is married to his wife, So Chun Chau.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Grigg |first1=Angus |last2=McKenzie |first2=Nick |title=Diplomats frozen out: Kevin Rudd's curious meeting with donor Chau Chak Wing |url=https://www.afr.com/world/diplomats-frozen-out-kevin-rudds-curious-meeting-with-donor-chau-chak-wing-20180524-h10ho8 |publisher=Australian Financial Review |date=24 May 2018 |access-date=5 April 2024 |archive-date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405053159/https://www.afr.com/world/diplomats-frozen-out-kevin-rudds-curious-meeting-with-donor-chau-chak-wing-20180524-h10ho8 |url-status=live }}</ref> They have three children, including their son, Eric, and daughter, Winky. Eric attended the University of Technology Sydney, studying design.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Power |first1=Julie |title=A dad's love for his Gehry-crazy son was the key to a $20 million gift |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/a-dads-love-for-his-gehrycrazy-son-was-the-key-to-a-20-million-gift-20150201-13346l.html |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 December 2014 |access-date=2 May 2023 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502174455/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/a-dads-love-for-his-gehrycrazy-son-was-the-key-to-a-20-million-gift-20150201-13346l.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Chau has been noted as being friends with many individuals holding governmental power in Guangdong at one time, including Xie Fei (Guangdong CCP committee secretary from 1991 to 1998) and Lin Shusen (Guangzhou CCP deputy committee secretary in 1997 and party secretary in 2002). Chau stated his connections were due to his chairing of business groups.<ref name=cccsmh/>

In 2015, Chau paid a reported $70 million to buy the {{NSWcity|Vaucluse}} mansion 'La Mer' from Australian billionaire James Packer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Macken |first=Lucy |date=8 August 2015 |title=chinese-billionaire-chau-chak-wing-bought-70m-packer-mansion-without-even-seeing-it |pages=1 |work=Domain |url=https://www.domain.com.au/news/chinese-billionaire-chau-chak-wing-bought-70m-packer-mansion-without-even-seeing-it-20150807-gitwyc/ |access-date=23 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323033456/https://www.domain.com.au/news/chinese-billionaire-chau-chak-wing-bought-70m-packer-mansion-without-even-seeing-it-20150807-gitwyc/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Net worth === {{columns-start}} {| class="wikitable" ! rowspan=2 | Year ! colspan=2 | ''Financial Review''<br />Rich List ! colspan=2 | ''Forbes''<br />China Rich List |- ! Rank ! Net worth (A$) ! Rank ! {{nowrap|Net worth (US$)}} |- | 2017<ref name="afr2017">{{cite news |url=http://www.afr.com/leadership/afr-lists/rich-list/financial-review-rich-list-2017-20170525-gwcvr6 |editor=Stensholt, John |title=Financial Review Rich List 2017 |work=The Australian Financial Review |date=25 May 2017 |access-date=8 June 2017 |archive-date=6 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806171444/https://www.afr.com/leadership/afr-lists/rich-list/financial-review-rich-list-2017-20170525-gwcvr6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="crikey2017">{{cite news |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/05/26/tmaynes-take-the-top-25-australian-billionaires-as-claimed-by-fairfax-media/ |author=Mayne, Stephen |author-link=Stephen Mayne |title=Mayne's take: The top 25 Australian billionaires, as claimed by Fairfax |work=Crikey |publisher=Private Media |date=26 May 2017 |access-date=10 October 2019 |archive-date=10 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010112506/https://www.crikey.com.au/2017/05/26/tmaynes-take-the-top-25-australian-billionaires-as-claimed-by-fairfax-media/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | align="center" | | align="right" | $1.56&nbsp;billion | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2018<ref name="afr2018">{{Cite news|url=http://www.afr.com/brand/afr-magazine/rich-list-overview-20180413-h0yqo5|title=2018 AFR Rich List: Who are Australia's richest people?|work=The Australian Financial Review|date=25 May 2018|editor=Stensholt, John|access-date=26 May 2018|archive-date=26 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526045256/http://www.afr.com/brand/afr-magazine/rich-list-overview-20180413-h0yqo5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Forbes2018">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/chau-chak-wing/?sh=2296af1d7fc8 |title=#378 Chau Chak Wing |access-date=21 December 2020 |work=Forbes Asia |date=24 October 2018 |archive-date=25 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125171847/https://www.forbes.com/profile/chau-chak-wing/?sh=2296af1d7fc8 |url-status=live }}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|45}} }} | align="right" | $1.63&nbsp;billion {{gain}} | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|378}} }} | align="right" | $0.90&nbsp;billion {{decrease}} |- | 2019<ref name="afr2019">{{Cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-wealthiest-people-revealed-20190529-p51sj0|title=Australia's 200 richest people revealed|work=The Australian Financial Review|publisher=Nine Publishing|date=30 May 2019|last=Bailey|first=Michael|access-date=31 May 2019|archive-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903083639/https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-wealthiest-people-revealed-20190529-p51sj0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Forbes2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/australia-billionaires/list/#tab:overall|title=2019 Australia's 50 Richest|access-date=28 September 2019|work=Forbes Asia|date=January 2019|archive-date=10 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610174708/http://www.forbes.com/australia-billionaires/list/#tab:overall|url-status=live}}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|58}} {{decrease}}}} | align="right" | $1.55&nbsp;billion {{decrease}} | align="center" | ''n/a'' | align="right" | ''not listed'' |- | 2020<ref name="afr2020">{{Cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/the-10-richest-australians-revealed-20201028-p569c7|url-access=subscription|title=The full list: Australia's wealthiest 200 revealed|work=The Australian Financial Review|publisher=Nine Publishing|date=30 October 2020|author1=Bailey, Michael|author2=Sprague, Julie-anne|access-date=31 October 2020|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030180356/https://www.afr.com/rich-list/the-10-richest-australians-revealed-20201028-p569c7|url-status=live}}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|15}} {{gain}}}} | align="right" | $4.60&nbsp;billion {{gain}} | align="center" | ''n/a'' | align="right" | ''not listed'' |- | 2021<ref name="afr2021">{{cite news |author1=Bailey, Michael |author2=Sprague, Julie-anne |url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-richest-people-revealed-20210526-p57vfr |title=The 200 richest people in Australia revealed |work=Australian Financial Review |date=27 May 2021 |access-date=28 May 2021 |archive-date=27 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527120707/https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-richest-people-revealed-20210526-p57vfr |url-status=live }}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|20}} {{decrease}}}} | align="right" | $4.57&nbsp;billion {{decrease}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2022 | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|23}} {{decrease}}}} | align="right" | $4.50&nbsp;billion {{decrease}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2023<ref name="afr2023">{{cite news |author1=Bailey, Michael |author2=Sprague, Julie-anne |url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-richest-people-revealed-20230523-p5dapa |title=The 200 richest people in Australia revealed |work=Australian Financial Review |date=26 May 2023 |access-date=6 June 2023 |archive-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606141432/https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-richest-people-revealed-20230523-p5dapa |url-status=live }}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|21}} {{increase}}}} | align="right" | $4.43&nbsp;billion {{decrease}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2024<ref name="afr2024">{{cite news |author1=Redrup, Yolanda |author2=Bailey, Michael |url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-10-richest-people-revealed-20240521-p5jfe4 |title=Australia's wealthiest 200 now control $625b |work=Australian Financial Review |date=30 May 2024 |access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|28}} {{increase}}}} | align="right" | $4.20&nbsp;billion {{down}} | align="center" | | align="right" | |- | 2025<ref name="afr2025">{{cite news |author1=Redrup, Yolanda |url=https://www.afr.com/rich-list/australia-s-wealthiest-200-revealed-fortunes-blow-past-667b-20250509-p5lxxb |title=Australia's wealthiest 200 revealed, fortunes blow past $667b |work=Australian Financial Review |date=30 May 2025 |access-date=31 May 2025 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> | align="center" | {{nowrap|{{nts|43}} {{down}}}} | align="right" | $3.72&nbsp;billion {{down}} | align="center" | | align="right" |

|}

{{column}} {| class="wikitable" !colspan="2"|<small>Legend</small> |- !<small> Icon</small> !<small> Description</small> |- |{{steady}} |<small>Has not changed from the previous year</small> |- |{{profit}} |<small>Has increased from the previous year</small> |- |{{loss}} |<small>Has decreased from the previous year</small> |} {{columns-end}}

=== Philanthropy === thumb|The Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney thumb|The Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology Sydney In May 2009, Chau, then still domiciled in Guangzhou, donated {{CNY}}3&nbsp;million to a Chinese Public Security Bureau training centre in order that society "be well managed".<ref name=SMH0907 />

In 2010, Chau contributed {{AUD}}20&nbsp;million, in instalments over ten years, towards the A$150 million construction cost of the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, part of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), together with an ancillary {{AUD}}5&nbsp;million scholarship fund.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2010/06/uts-receives-25-million-gift/|title=UTS receives $25 million gift|date=22 June 2010|website=Probono Australia|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628090316/http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2010/06/uts-receives-25-million-gift|archive-date=28 June 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gehry's vision">{{cite news|url=http://newsroom.uts.edu.au.tmp.anchor.net.au/news/2012/03/gehrys-vision-gets-nsw-government-approval|title=Gehry's vision gets NSW government approval|date=20 Mar 2012|publisher=University of Technology|access-date=29 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121127055128/http://newsroom.uts.edu.au.tmp.anchor.net.au/news/2012/03/gehrys-vision-gets-nsw-government-approval|archive-date=27 November 2012}}</ref> The Dr Chau Chak Wing building was completed in 2013.<ref name="Building">{{cite news |last=Xiao |first=Alison |date=24 May 2018 |title=University stands by donor amidst UN bribing scandal |newspaper=Honi Soit |url=https://honisoit.com/2018/05/university-stands-by-donor-amidst-un-bribing-scandal/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043020/https://honisoit.com/2018/05/university-stands-by-donor-amidst-un-bribing-scandal/ |archive-date=6 March 2019}}</ref> Chau was awarded an honorary doctorate by UTS in 2014, shortly after completion of the UTS building bearing his name.<ref name=UTS>{{cite web|url=https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/managing-your-course/graduation/past-speakers-and-speeches/2014/dr-chau-chak-wing|title=Dr Chau Chak Wing|date=2014|website=UTS|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044419/https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/managing-your-course/graduation/past-speakers-and-speeches/2014/dr-chau-chak-wing|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, another {{AUD}}15&nbsp;million was contributed for the construction of the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney.<ref>{{Cite news |title=$15 million donation to create new University of Sydney landmark museum |website= |publisher=University of Sydney |url=http://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2015/09/23/-15-million-donation-to-create-new-university-of-sydney-landmark.html |url-status=live |access-date=2016-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117211212/http://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2015/09/23/-15-million-donation-to-create-new-university-of-sydney-landmark.html |archive-date=2016-11-17}}</ref> The museum opened in 2020.<ref name=Building/>

In 2015, Chau donated {{AUD}}60,000 to the Australian War Memorial for the Anzac Diversity Education Program. He donated an additional {{AUD}}500,000 for the creation of the Kingold Education and Media Centre.<ref>{{cite news |last=Whyte |first=Sally |date=24 May 2018 |title=Chau Chak Wing donated more than $500,000 to War Memorial |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/chau-chak-wing-donated-more-than-500-000-to-war-memorial-20180524-p4zham.html |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501220631/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/chau-chak-wing-donated-more-than-500-000-to-war-memorial-20180524-p4zham.html |archive-date=1 May 2021}}</ref> In 2019, Chau established the Chau Chak Wing Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chau Chak Wing Foundation |url=https://www.chauchakwingfoundation.au/ |access-date=9 September 2023 |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029124152/https://www.chauchakwingfoundation.au/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2019, Chau donated A$500,000 to Soldier On, an Australian organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families, and pledged additional donations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nohra |first1=Danielle |title=Chinese developer stumps up for Soldier On |url=https://citynews.com.au/2019/chinese-developer-stumps-up-for-soldier-on/ |date=11 November 2019 |access-date=18 October 2021 |archive-date=18 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018055237/https://citynews.com.au/2019/chinese-developer-stumps-up-for-soldier-on/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Political donations === From 2014 to 2018, Chau donated approximately {{AUD}}4&nbsp;million to the two major Australian political parties.<ref>{{cite news |last=Power |first=John |date=30 September 2018 |title=Meet the Chinese businessmen making waves in Australia |newspaper=South China Morning Post |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/2166229/meet-chinese-businessmen-making-waves-australia |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044907/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/2166229/meet-chinese-businessmen-making-waves-australia |archive-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>

==Controversies== ===FBI investigation of bribery and resulting litigation=== Chau was named in a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probe in the case of bribery of the former president of the United Nations General Assembly, John Ashe. In 2013, the FBI alleged Sheri Yan (Shiwei Yan),<ref>{{cite web |last1=McKenzie |first1=Nick |last2=Allen-Ebrahimian |first2=Bethany |last3=Hunter |first3=Fergus |title=Beijing's secret plot to infiltrate UN used Australian insider |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/beijing-s-secret-plot-to-infiltrate-un-used-australian-insider-20181031-p50d2e.html |date=11 November 2018 |access-date=27 March 2023 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327234729/https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/beijing-s-secret-plot-to-infiltrate-un-used-australian-insider-20181031-p50d2e.html |url-status=live }}</ref> an Australian-Chinese suspected by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) of Chinese intelligence activity, used A$200,000 of Chau's money to bribe John Ashe to attend a conference held at Chau's Imperial Springs resort in China.<ref name="ASIO warns political parties over foreign donations">{{Cite news |date=2017-06-05 |title=ASIO warns political parties over foreign donations |website=ABC News |publisher= |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-05/asio-warns-political-parties-over-foreign-donations/8590162 |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606002821/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-05/asio-warns-political-parties-over-foreign-donations/8590162 |archive-date=6 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chau v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (No 3) [2021] FCA 44 (2 February 2021) |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2021/44.html |publisher=Federal Court of Australia |page=Section 20 |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110201459/http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2021/44.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Yan pleaded guilty to bribery charges and served a 20-month prison sentence.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Needham |first1=Kirsty |date=14 April 2019 |title=Woman accused of being Chinese influence agent tells her story for the first time |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/woman-accused-of-being-chinese-influence-agent-tells-her-story-for-the-first-time-20190410-p51cwj.html |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111095845/https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/woman-accused-of-being-chinese-influence-agent-tells-her-story-for-the-first-time-20190410-p51cwj.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Chau was never charged or accused of wrongdoing,<ref>{{cite web |title=Chau v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (No 3) [2021] FCA 44 (2 February 2021) |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2021/44.html |publisher=Federal Court of Australia |page=Section 64 and 145 |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110201459/http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2021/44.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he has also had documented ties to the CCP's United Front Work Department since at least 2007.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/program/understanding-the-role-of-chambers-of-commerce-and-industry-associations-in-united-front-work/|title=Understanding the Role of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Associations in United Front Work|last=Groot|first=Gerry|date=19 June 2018|website=Jamestown Foundation|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911074025/https://jamestown.org/program/understanding-the-role-of-chambers-of-commerce-and-industry-associations-in-united-front-work/|archive-date=11 September 2019|access-date=2019-09-14}}</ref> This was detailed in a file written by the former US Consul General Robert Goldberg, who was based in Guangzhou. The file was initially distributed to American intelligence agencies, but in 2010 was in a leaked diplomatic cable.<ref name= Wikileaked/>

In 2016, Chau brought defamation proceedings against Nationwide News Pty Ltd, the publisher of ''The Daily Telegraph'' and its sister company News Life Media Pty Ltd in the Federal Court of Australia, claiming that articles published in 2015 conveyed imputations that he himself had "bribed Mr. John Ashe". The proceedings were settled with Nationwide and News Life agreeing to pay Chau A$65,000 and publishing an apology on 23 December 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chau v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (No 3) [2021] FCA 44 (2 February 2021) |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2021/44.html |publisher=Federal Court of Australia |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110201459/http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/2021/44.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2018, Andrew Hastie, a former Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, used parliamentary privilege to claim Chau was an unindicted co-conspirator in the bribery case.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Nick McKenzie, Richard |date=2018-05-22 |title=Political donor Chau Chak Wing behind UN bribe scandal, Parliament told |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/political-donor-chau-chak-wing-behind-un-bribe-scandal-parliament-told-20180522-p4zgs5.html |access-date=2020-10-07 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=22 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322013039/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/political-donor-chau-chak-wing-behind-un-bribe-scandal-parliament-told-20180522-p4zgs5.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Yaxley |first1=political reporters Louise |last2=Gribbin |first2=Caitlyn |last3=Conifer |first3=Dan |date=23 May 2018 |title=Liberal MP says he did his duty in speaking up about political donor |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-23/turnbull-did-not-know-hastie-would-make-chau-chak-wing-claims/9790476 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120170438/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-23/turnbull-did-not-know-hastie-would-make-chau-chak-wing-claims/9790476 |archive-date=20 November 2019 |access-date=18 December 2019 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Hastie's claim followed an April meeting that took place in New York with other members of the joint intelligence committee (David Fawcett and Jenny McAllister), two members of the American intelligence community, and an official from an Australian intelligence agency.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Probyn|first=Andrew|date=24 May 2018|title=Here's why Andrew Hastie named Chau Chak Wing in Parliament|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-24/analysis-andrew-hastie-chau-chak-wing-complex-situation/9795766|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025071829/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-24/analysis-andrew-hastie-chau-chak-wing-complex-situation/9795766|archive-date=25 October 2018|access-date=22 March 2020|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}</ref>

In February 2019, Chau obtained judgment in an action against Fairfax Media in New South Wales, establishing he had been defamed in ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' in a 2015 article about the affair.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/97651587/one-of-australias-biggest-political-donors-has-secret-beijing-ties-court-papers|title=One of Australia's biggest political donors has secret Beijing ties, court papers allege|last=Bachelard|first=Michael|date=7 October 2017|work=Stuff.co.nz|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019025711/https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/97651587/one-of-australias-biggest-political-donors-has-secret-beijing-ties-court-papers|archive-date=19 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Fairfax Media said it would appeal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGowan |first=Michael |date=22 February 2019 |title=Chau Chak Wing wins defamation case against Sydney Morning Herald |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/feb/22/chau-chak-wing-wins-defamation-case-against-sydney-morning-herald |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303150416/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/feb/22/chau-chak-wing-wins-defamation-case-against-sydney-morning-herald |archive-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> The appeal was rejected by the Federal Court in March 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1= |date=19 March 2020 |title=Chau Chak Wing defamation finding stands |work=Nine News |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/chau-chak-wing-defamation-finding-stands/d8d81113-6bdc-40ae-b9fd-81166017a3ea |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813034253/https://www.9news.com.au/national/chau-chak-wing-defamation-finding-stands/d8d81113-6bdc-40ae-b9fd-81166017a3ea |archive-date=13 August 2020}}</ref> Chau was awarded A$280,000 in damages, which he donated to various Australian charities.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Greenbank |first1=Amy |last2=Greene |first2=Andrew |date=13 December 2019 |title=Chinese-born billionaire Chau Chak Wing donating millions to Australian veterans |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-14/digger-donations-billionaire-chau-chak-wing-donating-veterans/11797700 |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412122715/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-14/digger-donations-billionaire-chau-chak-wing-donating-veterans/11797700 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Allegations of soft power over Australian politics and resulting litigation=== A joint ''Four Corners'' and Fairfax Media investigation claimed that Chau, among others, was the subject of a briefing by ASIO warning of Chinese government influence over the Australian political system.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-06-05 |title=ASIO investigation targets Communist Party links to Australian political system |website=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-05/asio-china-spy-raid/8589094 |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606003425/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-05/asio-china-spy-raid/8589094 |archive-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> In a follow-up article in ''The Australian'', Chau said that claims he was an agent of Chinese soft power were "irrational". He said successive governments since the Howard era had sought his help in promoting Australian interests in China, including being asked to lobby for Australia to win a {{AUD}}150&nbsp;billion LNG deal with China in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/chinese-billionaire-hits-back-at-asio-im-not-a-communist-agent/news-story/1e07e9e4e6fd42684f087ea8b5a47a03|title=Chinese billionaire hits back at ASIO: I'm not a communist agent|newspaper=The Australian|date=2017-06-27|access-date=2017-07-10|archive-date=2021-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501220614/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnational-affairs%2Fforeign-affairs%2Fchinese-billionaire-hits-back-at-asio-im-not-a-communist-agent%2Fnews-story%2F1e07e9e4e6fd42684f087ea8b5a47a03&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=63910d8c39e780f74b7c724cfa2809ae-1619906774|url-status=live}}</ref> Chau sued for defamation over the news story. In February 2021 the Federal Court found in favour of Chau, and awarded him $590,000 in damages. The ABC was also prohibited from republishing some sections of the ''Four Corners'' episode.<ref>{{cite news |last1= |date=2 February 2021 |title=Chau Chak Wing awarded $590,000 in defamation case over ABC Four Corners episode |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/feb/02/chau-chak-wing-awarded-590000-in-defamation-case-over-abc-four-corners-episode |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323182132/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/feb/02/chau-chak-wing-awarded-590000-in-defamation-case-over-abc-four-corners-episode |archive-date=23 March 2021}}</ref>

====Foreign election interference claims==== {{Further|2019 Australian Parliament infiltration plot}} In February 2022, Australian senator Kimberley Kitching used parliamentary privilege to suggest to Mike Burgess, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, that Chau Chak Wing was the wealthy businessman behind an alleged Chinese plot to interfere in Australian elections to install politicians sympathetic to the interests of Chinese Communist Party.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Galloway |first=Anthony |date=2022-02-14 |title=Labor senator names businessman as 'puppeteer' behind foreign interference plot |language=en |website=The Age |url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/labor-senator-names-chinese-australian-businessman-as-puppeteer-behind-foreign-interference-plot-20220214-p59wd3.html |access-date=2022-02-14 |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311014430/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/labor-senator-names-chinese-australian-businessman-as-puppeteer-behind-foreign-interference-plot-20220214-p59wd3.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Chau issued a written statement denying the claim.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-15 |title=Chinese businessman denies he is 'puppeteer' named in Parliament |language=en |website=Australian Financial Review |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/prominent-chinese-businessman-named-in-parliament-as-puppeteer-20220215-p59whd |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-11-21 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121115744/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/prominent-chinese-businessman-named-in-parliament-as-puppeteer-20220215-p59whd |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chau, Chak-wing}} Category:1954 births Category:Living people Category:Australian businesspeople in the real estate industry Category:Australian philanthropists Category:Chinese emigrants to Australia Category:Chinese philanthropists Category:Chinese businesspeople in the real estate industry Category:Businesspeople from Guangdong Category:Former billionaires Category:Naturalised citizens of Australia Category:Australian billionaires