Tycoon who bought City skyline dies in accident

THE co-chairman of a conglomerate that owns London’s Olympia exhibition centre and skyscrapers in Canary Wharf has died on holiday.

Chinese billionaire Wang Jian, of HNA Group, suffered serious injuries after a fall in Provence, France, on Tuesday.

The 57-year-old had been trying to take photographs in the village of Bonnieux, near Avignon, when he fell 32ft off a wall. It was claimed he had attempted to climb higher to see a view and, after failing a first time, took a run up and fell over the wall.

It removes a key figure from the top of a sprawling business empire that owns China-based Hainan Airlines, as well as stakes in Deutsche Bank and Hilton hotels group. HNA Group also owns office buildings in Canary Wharf and last year bought the London Olympia centre.

Wang ( pictured) held a stake of about 15pc in the group and managed day-to-day operations. Fellow chairman, Chen Feng, often handled publicity.

In a statement, HNA Group offered its condolences to Wang’s family and friends, and said: ‘ Together, we mourn the loss of an exceptionally gifted leader and role model, whose vision and val- ues will continue to be a beacon for all who had the good fortune to know him, as well as for the many others whose lives he touched through his work and philanthropy.’ HNA has been one of China’s most active business conglomerates, snapping up a range of assets in a short period of time. However, it has recently been forced to sell some to slash debts. Wang reportedly told employees the firm’s difficulties were the result of a conspiracy against China’s ruling Communist Party and President Xi Jinping.