Story perspectives

Beef Hotpot Owner Gifts BMWs to Employees, Sparks Praise

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 6:49 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ma Yanli Gifts BMWs

Ma Yanli, beef-hotpot chain owner, gave two new BMWs to two employees.
She decided to reward them after seeing employee Li Jie endure cold electric-scooter rides.
Li Jie, an eight-year employee, arrived with a red face, purple ears, and stiff hands.
Ma handed the BMWs to the workers at a showroom after inviting them under a meeting pretext.
The South China Morning Post reported the giveaway on September 24.

Summary

Cui Peijun Bonuses

Ma Yanli gave a BMW to employees, prompting online praise.
The giveaway is cited as part of a growing trend of lavish employee incentives in China.
Businessman Cui Peijun is mentioned as another example of large employee bonuses.
Observers say the perks may raise employee expectations for future workplace rewards.
Some netizens question whether such high-value perks are sustainable for small businesses.

History

Historical Context

Deng Xiaoping’s 1992 Southern Tour, announced in Guangzhou, accelerated China’s market reforms and spurred private firms to adopt aggressive employee reward schemes. By 1995, Shanghai-based retailer Jiangnan Group granted 1,000 staff luxury watches, valued at roughly 5 million yuan, to boost morale. Today, Ma Yanli’s September 24 BMW giveaway to employee Li Jie mirrors that tradition, while businessman Cui Peijun’s similar bonuses echo the same competitive incentive culture. Such high-value perks pressure small enterprises to match lavish standards, prompting regulators in Beijing to consider stricter corporate gifting guidelines.

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Ma Yanli Gifts BMWs

Ma Yanli, beef-hotpot chain owner, gave two new BMWs to two employees.
She decided to reward them after seeing employee Li Jie endure cold electric-scooter rides.
Li Jie, an eight-year employee, arrived with a red face, purple ears, and stiff hands.
Ma handed the BMWs to the workers at a showroom after inviting them under a meeting pretext.
The South China Morning Post reported the giveaway on September 24.

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