Chinese E‑Commerce Tycoon Liu Qiangdong Gets a Brief Detention in Minneapolis
Last week, the bustling Midwest city of Minneapolis saw a headline that would have made any gossip column blush: Liu Qiangdong—the billionaire founder of JD.com, also known in the West as Richard Liu—was briefly handcuffed for alleged criminal sexual conduct. The police statement was as concise as the case it seemed to involve.
What Happened?
Official records from the Hennepin County Jail show that Liu was taken into custody late Friday night but released the following afternoon—‘upon release pending a formal complaint,’ the police spokesperson said. The case remains under investigation, and investigators are yet to confirm the details of the accusation.
Key Points
- Time: Arrested Friday evening, released Saturday afternoon.
- Age: 45‑year‑old CEO of JD.com.
- Status: Released pending formal complaint.
- Investigation: Active, details undisclosed.
In Minnesota law, “criminal sexual conduct” covers a gamut of non‑consensual sexual activity. However, JD.com immediately responded on Chinese social media platform Weibo, calling the allegations “false” and claiming no evidence of misconduct was found. The company’s statement says Liu was released to continue his business trip, which starkly contrasts with the police brief.
JD.com: The Company Behind the Drama
Founded in 1998, JD.com stands as China’s second‑largest e‑commerce firm, trailing only Alibaba in market share. It champions a “one‑stop” shopping experience for over 300 million active customers, offering ambitious same‑day and next‑day delivery across the country.
In a recent move to globalize its reach, JD.com announced a partnership with Google. In June, Google invested more than $500 million to fuse JD’s supply‑chain prowess with Google’s tech, aiming to roll out next‑generation personalized retail in Southeast Asia, the U.S., and Europe.
What This Means
- JD.com’s logistics network is set to power a worldwide retail surge.
- Google’s tech will drive personalized shopping experiences across continents.
- The collaboration could redefine how customers shop in regions with fast‑moving markets.
The whole episode hangs in a delicate balance: a high‑profile arrest in a U.S. city, a corporate brand that is reacting to protect its image, and a massive international partnership that could reshape the retail landscape. Only time will tell how the legal threads untangle and whether the partnership will continue to thrive amidst the turmoil.
