Late on August 14, JD.com addressed rumors on its official Weibo account. Widespread chatter on various internet platforms claimed that JD.com's founder Richard Liu and his wife Nancy Zhang (Zhang Zetian) had emigrated to the U.S. and purchased a mansion worth over a hundred million dollars. The company labeled these claims as deliberate fabrications and baseless accusations, and has reported the matter to law enforcement agencies.
Last week, a user on the internet shared a photo of what they claimed was a "luxury house of a certain e-commerce mogul" in the U.S., insinuating that it was purchased by Richard Liu, Chairman of JD.com. Reports about this house indicated it spans 13,500 square feet and was bought for a staggering $139 million. The previous owner was purportedly Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates.
JD.com further expressed its concern over certain self-media (individual online media creators) disseminating these rumors without verification. The company also raised concerns about orchestrated online smear campaigns against it.
Zhou Junwu, a senior partner at Beijing King & Capital Law Firm, representing Liu and Zhang, said that some self-media platforms have spread this misinformation on a massive scale, causing significant damage to the reputations of both Richard Liu and Nancy Zhang.
According to the statement, those who have fabricated, disseminated, or reposted these rumors may have infringed on personal reputation rights. Those who have maliciously spread these rumors may even face charges related to public order offenses or potential criminal activities.
In his statement, Zhou emphasized that claims about Liu and his wife's U.S. immigration and mansion purchase are entirely untrue. He urged all online users, including media outlets and individual netizens, to promptly delete such false statements and refrain from further posting or sharing them.
The declaration further warned that if these requests aren't met, legal actions encompassing civil, administrative, and criminal measures will be pursued.
In recent years, the e-commerce industry has witnessed significant upheavals, with JD.com grappling with growth challenges. After returning to China earlier this year, Liu took the helm, spearheading a series of changes in JD.com's organizational structure and business strategies. He aims to establish competitive pricing across all business fronts, including logistics and JD Cloud.
Liu's intent is to reinvigorate JD.com's competitive edge, instilling a more aggressive approach. He envisions that in the next two decades, JD.com could foster three companies each boasting revenues exceeding one trillion yuan. This aspiration is merely a fragment of his broader dream. Now, Liu's journey to realize this vision is only just beginning.
