A 21-year-old man who has been called a genius by his classmates at Peking University has suspended his studies to start a business.

Tong Huabin, who was to start his third year course in computer studies, instead opened the Guizhou Network Know-All Science and Technology Co Ltd on July 7 with an investment of 450,000 yuan ($60,000), Guizhou Metropolitan News reported.

Tong said computers have fascinated him since playing an online computer game at his neighbor's home, when he was at junior high school in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou Province.

He bought some computer books and studied them. During his third year at junior high school he entered and won the school's website design competition.

He also worked part time at computer companies and Internet cafes, earning 3,000 yuan ($400) and a lot of working experience.

At 19 he opened a company, acting as an agent for a computer server business in Shanghai and made tens of thousands of yuan in profits.

At the same time he gained four international certificates as a computer network engineer and website designer.

Though he did not shine in other subjects, Peking University accepted him to its computer science department in 2005 for his exceptional mathematics and computer skills.

When he applied to the university to suspend his studies after two years he was at first refused by university administrators as they thought it would be better for him to start a business after graduation.

The university relented, however, and Tong's parents backed him with the caveat that he should get his degree later.

Tong said he does not recommend his path to other people, as everyone has their own road to follow.

Tong said he would work hard to make a success of his business and complete his university course.

(China Daily October 20, 2007)