Wealthy CATL Battery Tycoon and Spouse Contribute $137 Million to Fudan University
Headline: Li Ping, EV Battery Billionaire, Donates $137 Million to Fudan University
Subhead: A look at Li Ping's success story, his role in Contemporary Amperex Technology, and the impact of his generous donation
In the rapidly evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), Chinese billionaire Li Ping has carved out a significant niche by becoming vice chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL). This global powerhouse is one of the world's largest makers of EV batteries and a key player in the industry's supply chain.
Recently, Li Ping shook up the headlines after partnering with his wife, Liao Mei, to make a substantial philanthropic gesture. They pledged a staggering one billion yuan (around $137 million) to Fudan University, establishing a new institute of advanced studies. The new institute will be named the Xue Min Institute of Advanced Studies and aims to attract top-tier global scholars, with a focus on natural science and basic research.
Li Ping, a graduate of Fudan's department of materials, and Liao Mei, a graduate of its history department, are no strangers to the elite Shanghai-based school. Their considerable contribution underscores their commitment to educational advancements in China. Although the precise areas of focus or operational timeline for the new institute remain undisclosed, Li Ping's influence within CATL positions him to contribute significantly to technological innovation within the EV industry.
In addition to Li Ping's leadership role at CATL, the company also supplies XPeng and is a key holding in BlackRock's China-focused funds, as mentioned in sources[2][3]. Li's philanthropic endeavor further solidifies China's dominance in battery production and could potentially accelerate technological advancements in the sector.
With Tesla's Elon Musk leading the pack as the world's richest automotive industry billionaire, Li Ping, although a Hong Kong citizen, follows closely with an estimated fortune worth $7.3 billion, as per the 2025 Forbes Billionaires List. Other notable figures in the auto industry's riches list include CATL Chairman and CEO Robin Zeng and China's BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu, who ranked second and third, respectively.
As the EV battery industry continues to grow, Li Ping's contributions to research, technology, and education are well-positioned to drive lasting changes within the global automotive landscape. By leveraging his connections, expertise, and philanthropic endeavors, Li Ping is setting the stage for a brighter, more sustainable future in the world of EVs.
- Elon Musk of Tesla, currently the wealthiest individual in the automotive industry, has a fortune worth approximately $137 billion, according to the 2025 Forbes Billionaires List.
- Robin Zeng, the Chairman and CEO of Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), ranks second on the auto industry's riches list, with an estimated fortune similar to Li Ping's.
- In the realm of education and self-development, Li Ping and his wife, Liao Mei, have pledged a large sum to establish the Xue Min Institute of Advanced Studies at Fudan University, with a focus on natural science and basic research.
- Despite his Hong Kong citizenship, Li Ping's significant philanthropic contributions and leadership role at CATL have further cemented China's dominance in battery production and could potentially hasten technological advancements within the sector, similar to the strides made by companies like BYD in Shanghai, led by Wang Chuanfu.