State-owned enterprise Taiyuan Distillery owes a technology company in Shanxi Province 800,000 yuan in payment, and its chairman, Rong, physically assaulted the legal representative of the company, Mr. Zhang, causing him to be hospitalized. This incident has attracted widespread attention and has become a hot topic on social media.
On January 25th, Mr. Zhang, the legal representative of the technology company in Shanxi, stated, “As a dignified state-owned enterprise, they have failed to pay us our dues and their chairman came to my door, physically assaulting me and causing me to be hospitalized. Where is the justice in this situation?”
On January 26th, attempts were made to contact Rong regarding the matter, but he declined to respond. On the same day, personnel related to the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of Taiyuan, the controlling shareholder of Taiyuan Distillery, acknowledged the incident and promised further responses. However, as of the time of reporting, no response has been received.
According to Mr. Zhang, since 2022, his company has had a partnership with Taiyuan Distillery, responsible for distributing the liquor products produced by the distillery. However, in June 2025, Rong verbally notified them to stop, leading to a demand for the return of the outstanding payment. The remaining amount of around 800,000 yuan has been continuously withheld by Taiyuan Distillery.
Mr. Zhang mentioned that on the day before he was assaulted, he had visited Taiyuan Distillery to demand the overdue payment.
Unexpectedly, the following day (December 21, 2025), after he went to reclaim the payment, Rong led a group of people to his company, demanding he address the issue. Upon his arrival, Rong and others physically assaulted him, resulting in “multiple soft tissue injuries” over his body. Subsequently, Rong was administratively detained for 3 days and fined 300 yuan.
Taiyuan Distillery, founded in 1950, is the only state-owned enterprise in Taiyuan dedicated to the production of traditional Chinese liquor. As per the Tianyancha App, Rong is the legal representative and chairman of Taiyuan Distillery. The SASAC of Taiyuan holds a 100% stake in Taiyuan Distillery.
An article by blogger “Hot Topic Tracking Baba” expressed that the act of violence by a state-owned enterprise chairman due to a debt dispute is extremely severe and shocking, revealing more than just a regular public security incident. It signifies a lack of legal awareness, the influence of privilege, and potential gaps in the regulatory system among state-owned enterprise leaders.
The police punishment of Rong, “3 days of administrative detention and a fine of 300 yuan,” has been criticized by many netizens as too lenient.
Concerns have been raised about whether this punishment, considering the social harm caused by his actions (especially the negative example set by his prominent position), effectively serves as a disciplinary and deterrent measure.
This incident has sparked public inquiries into how Rong’s personal qualities and leadership abilities were evaluated through the selection and assessment mechanisms of state-owned enterprises. Are there deficiencies in the daily supervision of cadres and legal education within Taiyuan Distillery and its supervising authority (SASAC)?
As of now, the official disciplinary and administrative measures taken against Rong have not been revealed. Therefore, he currently maintains his public position.