Editor's note: Ren Jianxin, president of the China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina), divulges his perspective on the current ongoing financial crisis and the need for corporate leadership during the economic turmoil on the 5th anniversary of the founding of the company.

May 9 marks the fifth anniversary of the founding of ChemChina. The past five years have been an extraordinary time for the company. It has seen it enjoy a rollercoaster ride of development and consolidation.

During these five years the total assets of ChemChina increased from 22.96 billion yuan to 156.9 billion yuan while its prime operating income jumped from 15.2 billion yuan to 122.6 billion yuan, rising by 5.9 and 7 times respectively since its founding. Meanwhile, the total profits of the company have grown almost a dozenfold.