A rape allegation against Richard Liu, one of China's most prominent technology tycoons, has resurrected interest in the events surrounding a party the billionaire hosted at his Sydney penthouse three years ago.

Mr Liu, the rags-to-riches entrepreneur who runs e-commerce giant JD.com, has been the subject of a social media storm in China this week after news broke he was arrested in the United States on Friday night and later released without charge.