• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

2

'Skills nobody can take': Meet a 20-year-old with a 4.5 GPA who skipped college for technical school to land an 'AI-proof' career

3

China suffers another setback in effort to de-dollarize global finance as anchor in the greenback's dominance quietly exits Beijing's payment scheme

1

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

2

'Skills nobody can take': Meet a 20-year-old with a 4.5 GPA who skipped college for technical school to land an 'AI-proof' career

3

China suffers another setback in effort to de-dollarize global finance as anchor in the greenback's dominance quietly exits Beijing's payment scheme
FinanceAnbang Insurance

Why the Chinese Government Now Controls an Iconic New York City Hotel

Lucinda Shen
By
Lucinda Shen
Lucinda Shen
Down Arrow Button Icon
Lucinda Shen
By
Lucinda Shen
Lucinda Shen
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 23, 2018, 2:44 PM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Alarmed by a surge in mergers and acquisitions by Anbang Insurance, China’s insurance regulator has taken over the giant temporarily—putting the Middle Kingdom in control over an iconic piece of New York City: the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

Though the government probably prefers to give up the insurer.

According to a Friday announcement from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC), the agency will take over Anbang for at least a year. The agency added that the firm entered into illegal operations that could “threaten the company’s solvency.” Separately, Shanghai prosecutors are charging its beleaguered chairman, Wu Xiaohui, with alleged fraud and embezzlement.

The CIRC notes that it is now has “full responsibility” over Anbang, and will complete “equity restructuring.” CIRC official He XiaoFeng is expected to lead the takeover working group for Angbang. The agency added that Anbang is currently “stable.”

The takeover comes amid a multi-year corruption crackdown by the Chinese government, alongside another campaign targeting companies in the country that have taken billions in debt to fund a string of mergers and acquisitions.

Anbang, for instance, bought up the Waldorf Astoria in 2014 for about $1.95 billion—tallying up to $30 billion in deals for the insurance firm since that year. But that figure could have been even larger, had Anbang completed its $14 billion cash bid for Starwood in 2016 or another deal to acquire 666 5th Avenue—a property developed by Kushner Companies.

While those mega-deals put Anbang on the international radar—it also pushed the company further up on Beijing’s list of concerns. In June, law enforcement officers detained Xiaohui. Then in July, authorities told Anbang Insurance to exit its foreign investments—including the Waldorf.

Anbang, for its part, has denied any plans to put the storied hotel on the market. But reports are emerging that the Chinese government has held talks to offer the Waldorf back to the Blackstone Group, the private equity firm that had sold the hotel to Anbang in the first place.

About the Author
Lucinda Shen
By Lucinda Shen
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Finance


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Finance


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.