Long March to Hollywood: China's richest man in step with Beijing

By Matthew Miller BEIJING (Reuters) - Flanked by models in white sequin dresses, amid booming music and dazzling lights, China's richest man savoured his latest entertainment triumph this week, the announcement of a $3.5 billion deal to take over a Hollywood blockbuster movie studio. Acquiring Legendary Entertainment puts Wang Jianlin and his conglomerate, the Dalian Wanda Group, a step closer to the ultimate goal: a movie empire underpinning a globally recognised, household name to rival Google, Apple or Microsoft. Under President Xi Jinping, China is broadening its use of so-called soft power, and - through skycrapers, soccer and movies - Wang, a former People's Liberation Army officer, is on the front line.