Entrepreneurship

Zhao Benshan also has great acumen for business. In 2005, he established Benshan Media Group, the parent company of Liaoning Folk Art Troupe, Benshan Production, Ruidong Culture Development Co. Ltd and Benshan Arts Academy.

Zhao's company stages residency shows "Liu Laogen Dawutai" in Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin, Jilin and Beijing. Reportedly, these shows grossed over 100 million yuan (about US$14.64 million) in 2008.

In 2007, Zhao led his performing troupe to tour North America. They performed errenzhuan in six cities including New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver but critiques were mixed.

In December 2009, Zhao spent 200 million yuan (about US$29.29 million) on a luxury private jet.