Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
Two Hunan China Tobacco General Managers Fall in Succession; 'Tobacco Queen' Lu Ping Took 413 Million Yuan in Bribes
Zhou Changgong, former general manager of Hunan China Tobacco, producer of "Furongwang," was sentenced for bribery and channeling benefits in engineering and cigarette-label printing projects; his successor Lu Ping was investigated in 2019. A Central Commission for Discipline Inspection documentary disclosed that she was suspected of accepting 413 million yuan in bribes and misappropriating 135 million yuan in public funds, and of using specific associates to win tobacco business for profit. Lu Ping was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve; Hunan China Tobacco's "corruption succeeding corruption" was cited as a typical case in the tobacco system's anti-corruption campaign.
2019
Copyright Dispute Over Hibiscus Pattern on 'Furongwang' Packaging
Li Jianzhong, a retired employee of Hunan China Tobacco, claims that the hibiscus flower pattern and text on "Furongwang" packaging were designed by him, and sued Hunan China Tobacco for copyright infringement, seeking 1.5 million yuan in damages. Issues in dispute include ownership of rights and determination as a work made in the course of employment. The case prompted discussion about ownership of works made in the course of employment at state-owned enterprises.