GUO GUANGCHANG, the billionaire chairman of Fosun Group, attended a company meeting in Shanghai yesterday after he disappeared from public view in connection with an investigation by authorities, domestic media said.

    Guo, dubbed “China’s Warren Buffett,” attended Fosun’s annual meeting yesterday morning, pictures posted by business magazine Caijing showed.

    Guo received a standing ovation from people gathered at a Shanghai hotel for Fosun’s annual meeting, said a source, who declined to be named.

    Guo had been out of contact since Thursday and two of the group’s listed arms in Shanghai said in statements last week the 48-year-old was “assisting in certain investigations” conducted by authorities.

    The statements stressed the probes had no “material adverse impact” on the finances or operations of the parent company and that Guo was able to take part in its decision making. It wasn’t clear whether the appearance signals an end to Guo’s dealings with authorities.

    Caijing said yesterday that Guo has “finalized” assisting in the inquiries and “returned home safely.”

    Fosun Group is one of China’s biggest private firms and has interests in property, finance, pharmaceuticals, steel and entertainment. It has been aggressively buying assets in Europe and North America, including Club Med. (SD-Agencies)