"Chu oranges", a kind of fruit named after the grower are sold very well during this season in Kunming. You can find them at almost every fruit store in the city. They taste sweeter than other oranges and are priced higher than others. But what makes the fruit best seller is its grower Chu Shijian (褚时健), a controversial figure who cannot be ignored in the economical development of China, the former director of the Yuxi Cigarettes Factory)(former Hongta Group).

In 1979, 51-year-old Chu was appointed the director of the Yuxi Cigarettes Factory in Yunnan. He than made the small factory the biggest tobacco enterprise in Asia, and won himself the title:tobacco king.

Twenty years later, in January, 1999, Chu was imprisoned with a life sentence for corruption. His penalty in prison was later reduced to 17 years. His case was followed by an important reform of salary system of state-owned enterprises. The next year after his imprisonment, the new director of Hongta Group got an annual salary of 1 million yuan, which was more than what Chu earned during 18 years as director of the group, 0.88 million yuan.

Ten years ago, Chu was released on bail for medical service. He contracted some barren hills on the Ailao Mountains and started his oranges career at the age of 74.

So far, the planting area of "Chu orange" exceeded 2400 mu and the annual output is about 8000 to 9000 tons. The supply has fallen short of demand since they appeared on the market.

Lots of people buy this fruit because of its grower. "It takes 6 years for an orange seedling to be mature enough to sprout, blossom and bear. Imagine a 75-year-old man spent 6 years waiting for fruits. What a tough mind", said Wang Shi, a well-known entrepreneur.

Some others also say that eating "Chu oranges" remind them of the grower's motivational story.

Last Monday, 84-yeasr-old Mr. Chu stepped into the spotlight again. He jointed hands with a e-commerce website to sell his oranges. (Editors:Hyesung,Minnie Mao)