The Chinese businessman who gave out designer watches to senior Australian politicians, including dumped human services minister Stuart Robert and former PM Tony Abbott, is wanted by police in China for illegal fundraising, and owes creditors at least $30 million.

Li Ruipeng, an executive at Li Guangcheng Group and in charge of its Australian subsidiary, has been involved in 27 legal disputes in mainland China over the past two years, according to court documents obtained by AFR Weekend.