Top 20 Millionaires In China

As of late 2025, China is home to some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential individuals, who have built vast empires across technology, green energy, pharmaceuticals, real estate, and consumer goods. Their success reflects China’s shift from traditional industries to high-tech innovation and sustainable development. These top 20 millionaires exemplify visionary leadership, leveraging China’s digital economy and global trade to expand their influence worldwide. Many are also active philanthropists, investing in education, healthcare, and environmental initiatives, cementing their role as key drivers of both economic growth and social progress.

1. Zhong Shanshan

Chairman of Nongfu Spring and Wantai Biological

Zhong Shanshan is the founder and chairman of Nongfu Spring, China’s leading bottled water and beverage company, and the majority owner of Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise. Born in Hangzhou, China, Zhong dropped out of school during the Cultural Revolution and worked in a variety of jobs, including construction work, journalism, and beverage sales, before starting his own business ventures. Under his leadership, Nongfu Spring became a dominant player in China’s bottled water and beverage market, known for its natural mineral water and extensive nationwide distribution network. Nongfu Spring generated tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue, with the company reporting approximately 42.9 billion yuan in 2024, according to financial reports, thereby contributing significantly to wealth and business influence.

Beyond beverages, Zhong’s wealth is also supported by his controlling stake in Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise, a company that produces vaccines and diagnostic kits and has gained global attention. As of late 2025, Zhong Shanshan’s personal net worth is estimated at approximately $68.7 billion, placing him among the richest individuals in Asia, according to Forbes. His wealth primarily comes from his ownership stakes in Nongfu Spring and Wantai Biological, with Nongfu Spring’s stock performance and Wantai’s role in the healthcare sector driving long-term value. Despite facing competition and market challenges, Zhong’s success reflects his ability to build high-demand consumer brands and expand into strategic sectors of the economy.

2. Zhang Yiming

Founder and Former Chairman of ByteDance

Zhang Yiming is the Chinese entrepreneur who founded ByteDance, the technology company behind the global sensation TikTok and its Chinese counterpart Douyin. After graduating from Nankai University with a degree in software engineering, he briefly worked in the tech industry before launching ByteDance in 2012 with the news‑aggregation app Toutiao. Zhang’s deep belief in the power of artificial intelligence and personalized algorithms transformed how people around the world consume content, leading ByteDance to expand rapidly into short‑form video with TikTok and other AI‑driven products. Under his leadership, ByteDance became one of the most valuable private companies globally, with revenue estimated at around $155 billion in 2024, and a user base that exceeds one billion monthly active users across its platforms, all while navigating complex geopolitical and regulatory challenges in major markets such as the United States and Europe.

Zhang stepped down from his role as CEO in 2021 and, later, as chairman, shifting his focus to long‑term strategy and innovation; however, he remains a significant voice in the company’s AI efforts and vision. His wealth is overwhelmingly tied to his ownership stake in ByteDance. As of late 2025, his net worth has been estimated at approximately $65- $ 69 billion, placing him among the 23rd-26th richest people in the world and making him the wealthiest person in China according to multiple wealth rankings. Though intensely private and rarely in the public eye, Zhang’s impact on the global tech landscape is unmistakable, marking a shift in China’s technology sector from imitation to genuine, world‑influencing innovation.

3. Ma Huateng

Co-founder and CEO of Tencent

Ma Huateng is the co‑founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tencent Holdings. This Shenzhen‑based technology giant has become one of the most influential companies in China and the world. Born on October 29, 1971, he helped start Tencent in 1998, and under his leadership, the company grew from a small internet startup into a diversified powerhouse known for WeChat, a messaging and social platform with over 1.4 billion monthly users, and a global gaming portfolio that includes major titles and stakes in leading studios. Tencent’s business spans social media, mobile payments through WeChat Pay, cloud computing, digital entertainment, advertising, and artificial intelligence services, driving robust revenue growth across segments. In 2024, Tencent generated hundreds of billions of yuan in revenue, with continued double‑digit growth in 2025 driven by strong performance in gaming, AI integration, fintech, and enterprise services.

Ma Huateng’s personal wealth reflects Tencent’s success, with his net worth estimated at approximately $63 billion as of late 2025, making him one of the richest people in China and globally. His income and wealth are from his substantial ownership stake in Tencent and the company’s strong financial performance. Despite a relatively private profile, Ma’s strategic vision has guided Tencent through regulatory challenges and technological shifts, including the adoption of artificial intelligence into its ecosystem to enhance advertising, gaming experiences, cloud services, and consumer engagement. His leadership continues to shape Tencent’s evolution as a platform‑based leader in global technology, fintech, and digital services.

4. Robin Zeng

Chairman of CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology)

Robin Zeng, also known as Zeng Yuqun, is the founder and chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), the world’s largest manufacturer of electric‑vehicle and energy‑storage batteries. Under his leadership, CATL supplies battery cells to nearly every major automaker globally, including Tesla, Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, Geely, and Stellantis, and holds around 38 percent of the global EV battery market as of 2025. CATL’s rapid growth has been driven by large investments in research and development, breakthrough technologies such as fast‑charging LFP and sodium‑ion batteries, and the expansion of manufacturing capacity with gigafactories in China, Europe, and North America. The company’s strong performance is reflected in its financials, which generated tens of billions of dollars in revenue and profit; for example, it reported approximately $25.1 billion in revenue and $4.2 billion in net income in the first half of 2025.

Zeng’s vision and business acumen have made him one of the wealthiest technology entrepreneurs globally. As of December 2025, his net worth is estimated at approximately $57.1 billion, ranking him among the world’s richest individuals and the leading tech billionaires in China. CATL’s success reflects Zeng’s focus on scaling manufacturing, advancing cutting‑edge battery research, and building a comprehensive supply chain that supports electric-vehicle adoption and grid-storage solutions worldwide. Beyond battery production, his strategic plans include expanding CATL’s role in zero‑carbon energy systems and advancing sustainability through carbon‑neutral operations and extensive recycling.

5. William Ding

Founder and CEO of NetEase

William Ding, also known as Ding Lei, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of NetEase, one of China’s largest and most influential technology and online gaming companies. Born in Zhejiang Province, Ding studied communication technology before beginning his career in telecommunications and software engineering. In 1997, he founded NetEase, which initially offered internet services and email before expanding into online gaming, music streaming with NetEase Cloud Music, e-commerce through its Yanxuan platform, and online education with Youdao. NetEase has become a leading competitor to Tencent in the gaming industry and has expanded its global presence by establishing studios and partnerships, including collaborations with international developers. Under Ding’s leadership, the company reported substantial revenue and profitability, with gaming accounting for the majority of its income.

Ding Lei is one of the wealthiest individuals in China, with an estimated net worth of approximately $45-$47 billion as of 2025, according to Forbes and Bloomberg, placing him among the world’s top billionaires. His wealth derives from his approximately 46 percent ownership stake in NetEase, and he also earns substantial annual income from the company’s dividends, estimated in the billions of yuan. In addition to his core technology and gaming business, Ding has diversified his interests into sustainable agriculture and other ventures, reflecting his broader investment strategy. His focus on innovation, user experience, and global market expansion has helped NetEase remain competitive even amid regulatory challenges in the Chinese gaming sector.

6. Colin Huang

Founder of PDD Holdings (Pinduoduo and Temu)

Colin Huang is the founder of PDD Holdings, the Chinese e-commerce powerhouse behind Pinduoduo and the global shopping platform Temu. An engineer by training, he earned a master’s degree in computer science. He worked at Google and Microsoft before returning to China to launch Pinduoduo in 2015, which employed a social group-buying model to attract millions of users and rapidly challenge incumbents such as Alibaba and JD.com. PDD Holdings reported tens of billions of dollars in revenue in recent years, with Pinduoduo alone generating approximately $53.9 billion in 2024, and continues to grow through international expansion via Temu. Huang stepped down from executive roles in 2021 but remains the largest shareholder, and his strategic vision has been central to the company’s rapid global growth amid intense competition and changing consumer behaviour.

Huang’s wealth reflects the success and volatility of his businesses. As of December 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at approximately $39.5 billion, making him one of the richest people in the world and a leading figure in Chinese tech, though his net worth has fluctuated significantly with PDD’s share price over time. Much of his wealth derives from his substantial stake in PDD Holdings, and although the company continues to report significant revenue and profit figures, market conditions and competition have led to occasional sharp fluctuations in his personal fortune. His income is primarily derived from dividends and the value of his shareholdings, rather than from a fixed salary, as is typical for founders of large publicly traded companies.

7. Lei Jun

Founder and CEO of Xiaomi

Lei Jun is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Xiaomi, the Chinese technology giant he helped establish in 2010 that has grown from a smartphone maker into a global leader in consumer electronics and Internet of Things products. Under his leadership, Xiaomi became one of the world’s top smartphone manufacturers and expanded into smart home products and electric vehicles. Lei’s strategic emphasis on high performance at competitive prices and ecosystem integration has driven rapid growth, especially in emerging markets and among younger tech consumers. As of late 2025, his personal wealth is estimated at $35- $46 billion, primarily from his substantial stake in Xiaomi and other investments, making him one of China’s wealthiest entrepreneurs according to Forbes and Hurun wealth rankings.

Xiaomi’s bold move into electric vehicles, with models such as the SU7 sedan and the YU7 SUV, has been a primary focus in recent years and has attracted significant investor confidence, boosting both the company’s market capitalization and Lei’s net worth. The company’s electric vehicles have achieved substantial order volumes while Xiaomi continues to invest heavily in research and development, including in AI and chip design, to support long‑term competitiveness. Lei also plays an active role as an investor in China’s broader technology ecosystem, with interests in software and internet platforms beyond Xiaomi. His ability to anticipate trends, build integrated tech products, and balance volume growth with innovation has made him one of the most influential figures in modern technology and manufacturing.

8. Jack Ma

Co-founder of Alibaba Group

Jack Ma is a Chinese business magnate and co‑founder of the Alibaba Group, one of the world’s leading e‑commerce and technology companies. Born Ma Yun in Hangzhou in 1964, he started his career as an English teacher before launching Alibaba in 1999, which transformed how businesses and consumers use the internet in China and beyond. Alibaba’s key platforms, including Taobao and Tmall, remain central to online commerce, and the company has expanded into cloud computing, digital media, and artificial intelligence. Ma also helped establish Ant Group, the fintech company behind Alipay, which became a dominant digital payment provider. As of December 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at approximately $30 billion, reflecting his stakes in Alibaba and related ventures, making him one of China’s richest individuals. Investors closely watch his wealth and influence as indicators of the broader private technology sector’s health.

Since stepping down as Alibaba’s executive chairman in 2019, Jack Ma has focused on education, philanthropy, and sustainable agricultural technology, using his experience to support global and rural development initiatives through the Jack Ma Foundation. He has travelled internationally to study sustainable farming practices and often speaks at universities and business forums about innovation and entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, Alibaba continues to innovate in artificial intelligence and cloud services, thereby driving the company’s renewed growth amid competitive pressure from rivals and evolving regulatory environments. While he leads a more private life today, his strategic guidance and philanthropic efforts continue to shape global business and social impact.

9. He Xiangjian

Founder of Midea Group

He Xiangjian is the Chinese entrepreneur who co‑founded Midea Group, one of the world’s largest home appliance and HVAC manufacturers, transforming it from a small workshop into a global industrial leader. In 1968, he and 23 residents of Beijiao, Guangdong, started a humble seminar making plastic bottle lids with just a few thousand yuan, and over the decades, he expanded the business into electric fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and a wide range of consumer and commercial products. Under his strategic vision, Midea has grown into a Fortune Global 500 company with operations in more than 200 countries and approximately 150,000 employees, and has made key international acquisitions, such as the German robotics firm KUKA, thereby significantly advancing its automation and innovative manufacturing capabilities. Midea’s focus on innovation, quality, global expansion, and partnerships in new energy and digital solutions has kept the company competitive worldwide and positioned it as a major player in smart home and industrial technologies.

As of late 2025, He Xiangjian’s personal wealth is estimated at approximately $32 billion, making him one of the richest people in the world and a leading figure among China’s self‑made business leaders, with income from his substantial ownership in Midea Group and related holdings. He stepped down from daily operations in 2012 and has shared his wealth with family members involved in the business, while also engaging in philanthropic and cultural endeavors, including founding the He Art Museum. His disciplined management and emphasis on long‑term sustainability and technological advancement illustrate how visionary leadership and strategic diversification can build a lasting global enterprise.

10. Zheng Shuliang

Chairperson of Weiqiao Pioneering Group

Zheng Shuliang is the vice chairperson of the China Hongqiao Group and, together with her family, controls the Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, one of China’s largest private industrial conglomerates with major interests in aluminum production, textiles, and related manufacturing sectors. Under her late husband Zhang Shiping, the group grew from a modest cotton processing business into a global powerhouse that ranks consistently on the Fortune Global 500 list, with 2025 revenues exceeding 558 billion yuan (roughly $77 billion) and profits over 32 billion yuan, supported by over 100,000 employees and extensive integrated production facilities worldwide. The company has expanded into new energy, lightweight automotive materials, and deep‑processing of aluminum and textiles to maintain competitiveness in global markets. Weiqiao’s scale and diversification reflect its strategic investments in innovation and sustainability, while remaining rooted in manufacturing excellence and leadership in heavy industry.

Zheng Shuliang’s personal wealth underscores the scale and success of the businesses she helps lead. According to Forbes, her net worth is estimated at over $31 billion as of late 2025, placing her among the world’s richest individuals and highlighting the substantial value generated by her family’s industrial empire. This wealth derives primarily from significant stakes in China Hongqiao Group, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, and the broader Weiqiao industrial portfolio. While specific annual income figures for Zheng Shuliang are not publicly disclosed, her net worth reflects dividends, equity appreciation, and the long‑term profitability of the conglomerate’s operations. Known for a low‑profile but effective leadership style, Zheng continues to guide the enterprise through complex global market dynamics while preserving stability and growth.

11. Huang Shilin

Former Vice Chairman of CATL

Huang Shilin is a prominent Chinese billionaire businessman and former vice chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest supplier of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. He played a key role in the company’s formation and rapid rise, contributing his technical expertise and strategic leadership to build CATL into a global powerhouse partnering with major automakers and expanding its manufacturing footprint around the world. Huang held a significant ownership stake in the company, and his personal wealth has been estimated at around $26.2 billion as of December 2025, placing him among the richest individuals globally. A large portion of his income and net worth has come from his equity in CATL, including dividends and the value growth of his shares, alongside occasional share sales such as a block sale that generated hundreds of millions of dollars in liquid capital while he continued to hold a substantial ownership share.

After stepping down from his executive role at CATL in 2022 to pursue other opportunities in the new energy sector, Huang shifted his focus to ventures in advanced energy storage technologies and related renewable energy fields, which align with China’s policy priorities for decarbonization and grid electrification. His ongoing investments and leadership in battery innovation and recycling technologies reflect his deep expertise in lithium-ion systems and his commitment to the broader transition toward sustainable energy. Huang remains a respected and influential figure in the global energy industry, with income streams tied to his diversified portfolio of interests beyond his foundational work at CATL.

12. Wang Chuanfu

Founder and Chairman of BYD

Wang Chuanfu is a Chinese chemist, entrepreneur, and the founder, chairman, and CEO of BYD Company Limited, one of the world’s most influential electric vehicle and green energy technology manufacturers. Born in rural Anhui province in 1966, he studied metallurgy and battery chemistry before founding BYD in 1995 as a rechargeable battery maker in Shenzhen. Under his leadership, BYD expanded into the automotive industry in 2003 and has since become the world’s largest producer of plug‑in electric vehicles and a major supplier of batteries, semiconductors, and energy storage systems, with annual revenue exceeding $107 billion in 2024. The company’s global footprint spans consumer electric cars, commercial electric buses and trucks, and renewable energy solutions, positioning it ahead of many competitors in both volume and innovation. Wang’s commitment to vertical integration, manufacturing efficiency, and sustainable technology has enabled BYD to grow rapidly in diverse markets across Asia, Europe, and beyond.

Wang’s personal success mirrors BYD’s extraordinary rise, and as of December 2025 his net worth is estimated at around $22.6 billion according to Forbes real‑time valuations. This substantial wealth reflects his significant ownership stake in BYD and the company’s performance in global markets where it has frequently outpaced rivals such as Tesla in total vehicle sales and production volume. Known for his deep technical knowledge and hands‑on leadership style, Wang is widely respected for driving innovation in electric mobility and renewable energy technology, earning recognition on global sustainability and business leadership lists. His journey from humble beginnings to global business prominence makes him a leading figure in the transformation of the automotive industry.

13. Wang Ning

Founder and CEO of Pop Mart

Wang Ning is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Pop Mart International Group, the Beijing‑based company that turned designer “blind box” toys like Molly, Dimoo, and especially the Labubu series into a global cultural phenomenon. After launching Pop Mart in 2010, Wang transformed a small retail concept into a major lifestyle brand with hundreds of stores and automated vending “robo‑shops” across Asia, Europe, the United States, and other regions. Pop Mart popularised the blind box format where buyers only discover which collectible figure they receive after purchase, a strategy that resonated strongly with Gen Z and millennial consumers and fuelled a vibrant collector culture. Beyond toys, the company has expanded into digital initiatives, social media‑driven marketing, and branded experiences, building a community around its characters and securing partnerships that enhanced global visibility and appeal.

Wang Ning’s success with Pop Mart has translated into extraordinary personal wealth, driven largely by his substantial shareholding in the publicly listed company. By mid‑2025, his net worth surged into the top ranks of China’s richest individuals, estimated at around $22.7 billion, making him the youngest person among the country’s top ten billionaires. This remarkable growth reflects the explosive popularity of Pop Mart’s products and the company’s strong financial performance, with rapidly increasing sales and profit in recent years. Wang’s leadership has not only reshaped the toy and collectible market in China but also helped export Chinese pop culture worldwide, as Pop Mart continues to expand its footprint and influence.

14. Qin Yinglin

Chairman of Muyuan Foods

Qin Yinglin is the chairman and chief executive officer of Muyuan Foodstuff, one of China’s largest and most technologically advanced pork producers, and is widely regarded as the world’s richest farmer. Born in 1965 in Neixiang County, Henan Province, he studied animal husbandry at Henan Agricultural University and began his career working in a state‑run pork producer before founding Muyuan with his wife in 1992, starting with just 22 pigs. Over more than three decades, he transformed the company into a publicly traded powerhouse on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange with an annual breeding capacity of tens of millions of pigs, emphasising biosecurity, automation, and vertical integration to maintain efficiency and disease control. Muyuan Foods reported revenues of approximately $19.2 billion in 2024 and has returned to strong profitability after industry headwinds, illustrating its dominant position in the world’s largest pork market.

Qin’s personal wealth reflects this success, with a net worth of about $20.9 billion as of late 2025, placing him among the wealthiest individuals globally and underscoring the financial potential of large‑scale agribusiness in China. Beyond breeding and production, Muyuan invests in research to improve genetics and sustainability, including converting waste into biogas and fertilisers to reduce environmental impact and enhance operational resilience. His leadership highlights the critical role of food security in a country with more than 1.4 billion people and shows how innovation and scale in agriculture can generate substantial economic value in a traditionally low‑margin industry.

15. Chen Tianshi

Founder and CEO of Cambricon Technologies

Chen Tianshi is the co‑founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Cambricon Technologies, one of China’s most prominent artificial intelligence semiconductor companies. Established in 2016 by Chen and his brother Chen Yunji, Cambricon develops advanced AI processors and general‑purpose GPUs used in applications ranging from mobile devices to large data‑center workloads, making it one of the core drivers of China’s domestic AI hardware ecosystem. The company is publicly listed on the Shanghai STAR Market and has seen dramatic growth in recent years as Beijing has encouraged local technology self‑reliance and global export restrictions on foreign chips have restricted access to Western silicon. Cambricon reported record profits and rapid revenue increases in 2025, with the firm’s chips increasingly adopted by leading Chinese technology companies and research institutions as part of a broader national strategy to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Cambricon’s intensive focus on research and development has positioned it as a key player in the next wave of autonomous and intelligent computing platforms.

As a result of Cambricon’s soaring market performance and rising industry stature, Chen Tianshi has become one of China’s wealthiest technology entrepreneurs. Multiple reputable wealth trackers now estimate his net worth in late 2025 at roughly $24 billion, reflecting the strong performance of Cambricon’s Shanghai‑listed shares and his significant ownership stake in the company. Chen’s financial success follows years of growth tied to investor confidence in China’s AI and semiconductor sectors, and underscores his role as a central figure in advancing domestic chip innovation and competitive alternatives to foreign technology. Before founding Cambricon, Chen was a computer science researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and holds a doctorate from the University of Science and Technology of China.

16. Zhong Huijuan

Founder and Chair of Hansoh Pharmaceutical

Zhong Huijuan is one of the world’s wealthiest self-made women and the founder and chair of Hansoh Pharmaceutical, a leading Chinese drug maker focused on oncology, infectious diseases, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes. A former chemistry teacher, she established the company in the mid-1990s and steadily transformed it into a research-driven pharmaceutical powerhouse. As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around $19.7 billion, largely derived from her majority stake in Hansoh Pharmaceutical. Her personal income, primarily from dividends and shareholding returns rather than a fixed salary, is estimated to be several hundred million dollars annually, reflecting the company’s strong profitability and market position.

Under Zhong Huijuan’s leadership, Hansoh Pharmaceutical has significantly expanded its global footprint, entering international licensing agreements and advancing multiple clinical trials in the United States and Europe. The company consistently reinvests a substantial portion of its revenue into research and development, enabling it to move beyond generic medicines and build a robust pipeline of patented, high-value drugs. This long-term focus on innovation has strengthened Hansoh’s competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. Zhong Huijuan’s journey highlights the rapid rise of China’s biotech sector and stands as a compelling example of how female entrepreneurs can lead and scale science-based enterprises on a global stage.

17. Zhang Zhidong

Co-founder of Tencent

Zhang Zhidong, also known as Tony Zhang, is the co-founder and former chief technology officer of Tencent and remains one of its largest individual shareholders. With an estimated net worth of around $18.7 billion, his wealth is closely linked to Tencent’s long-term growth and global dominance in social media, gaming, cloud services, and digital payments. Zhang was the principal architect behind Tencent’s core technical infrastructure, designing systems that allowed early platforms such as QQ to scale reliably to hundreds of millions of users at a time when China’s internet ecosystem was still developing. His engineering leadership laid the technical foundation that enabled Ma Huateng and the management team to successfully expand Tencent into one of the world’s most valuable technology companies.

Since stepping away from daily operations, Zhang has maintained a low public profile while remaining influential through philanthropy, education initiatives, and mentorship within China’s technology community. His annual income today primarily comes from Tencent share dividends and long-term equity appreciation, which is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars during strong financial years for the company. As Tencent continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence, enterprise software, and the industrial internet, Zhang’s financial position continues to strengthen. His career highlights the critical role of deep technical expertise in building scalable technology platforms and demonstrates that enduring success in global tech companies is often driven by engineers who operate away from the spotlight.

18. Lu Xiangyang

Co-founder of BYD and Founder of Youngy Group

Lu Xiangyang, a cousin of BYD founder Wang Chuanfu, is a key yet often understated figure behind BYD’s early success. He provided the crucial seed capital that helped launch BYD, a decision that later proved transformational as the company grew into a global leader in electric vehicles and battery technology. As of 2025, Lu Xiangyang’s estimated net worth stands at around $18.6 billion, largely derived from his substantial shareholding in BYD and his ownership of the Youngy Group. His annual income is estimated to be in the range of $1 to $1.5 billion, primarily driven by dividends, equity appreciation, and profits from his diversified industrial holdings.

Through Youngy Group, Lu has built a powerful business portfolio spanning lithium mining, mineral resources, and the manufacturing of electronic components and industrial equipment. His investments in lithium have become especially valuable as global demand for electric vehicle batteries continues to rise, making lithium one of the most strategically important commodities in the energy transition. By controlling upstream resources essential to battery production, Lu has secured a resilient and complementary position within the electric vehicle supply chain. His long-term vision, disciplined investment approach, and focus on critical raw materials underline his reputation as one of China’s most successful and forward-looking industrial investors.

19. Eric Li (Li Shufu)

Chairman of Geely Holding Group

Eric Li, widely known as Li Shufu, is the founder and chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, one of China’s most influential automotive conglomerates. Li started Geely in 1986 and grew it from a small refrigerator parts maker into a global powerhouse that owns major brands such as Volvo Cars, Lotus, Lynk & Co and the premium electric vehicle maker Zeekr, with significant stakes in Polestar and other international automotive ventures. Under his leadership, Geely made headlines in 2010 with the acquisition of Volvo from Ford, marking a historic milestone for Chinese automakers and accelerating Geely’s global expansion. Li Shufu’s net worth is estimated at around $21.4 billion as of December 2025, placing him among the world’s richest entrepreneurs and reflecting the success of his strategic acquisitions and growth into electric and smart vehicle markets.

By 2025, Geely has strengthened its position in electric vehicles and global mobility through investments, partnerships and technological advancements, including collaborations on the Smart brand with Mercedes-Benz and expanded stakes in premium EV maker Polestar. The group also targets significant growth in annual vehicle sales with ambitious restructuring to boost efficiency and competitiveness worldwide. Beyond automobiles, Li has supported education and talent development in China by investing in vocational training and industry-linked programs to nurture future engineers and business leaders. His leadership reflects an evolution from a domestic carmaker to a major player in the international automotive industry with a diversified portfolio and long-term vision for mobility innovation and global influence.

20. Yu Yong

Chairman of Cathay Fortune Corporation

Yu Yong is the chairman of Cathay Fortune Corporation and one of China’s most influential private equity investors. He has built an estimated net worth of around $17.8 billion primarily through strategic investments in natural resources and industrial assets. His flagship holding is China Molybdenum (CMOC Group), one of the world’s leading producers of molybdenum, copper, and cobalt. Cobalt plays a critical role in lithium ion batteries, making Yu’s early and aggressive acquisition of mining assets in Africa and South America especially significant. Industry analysts attribute his wealth creation to a disciplined value investing approach, focused on identifying undervalued resource companies and scaling them into globally competitive enterprises.

As of 2025, Cathay Fortune Corporation remains a major force in the global commodities market, supported by sustained demand for critical minerals driven by electric vehicles, renewable energy, and energy storage systems. Yu Yong is also a key investor in CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, further tying his financial success to the growth of the electric mobility ecosystem. His annual income, largely derived from dividends, equity appreciation, and private investment returns, is estimated to be in the range of $800 million to $1.2 billion during strong commodity cycles. Despite this immense financial success, Yu maintains a low public profile and rarely appears in the media, preferring a long-term, fundamentals-driven investment strategy that bridges traditional mining with the future of green technology.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is currently the richest person in China?

As of late 2025, Zhong Shanshan, the chairman of the beverage company Nongfu Spring and the pharmaceutical firm Wantai Biological, remains the wealthiest individual in China, with a net worth exceeding $70 billion.

How did the billionaires on this list make their money?

The wealth of China's top billionaires is primarily concentrated in the technology, green energy, and manufacturing sectors. Key industries include e-commerce, electric-vehicle production, lithium-ion battery manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.

Is Jack Ma still one of the richest people in China?

Yes, despite stepping back from public life, Jack Ma remains one of China's wealthiest individuals, with a net worth estimated at approximately $31 billion in 2025, owing to his significant holdings in Alibaba Group and Ant Group.

What is the significance of the "green energy" billionaires?

Billionaires like Robin Zeng of CATL and Wang Chuanfu of BYD have seen their wealth grow as China leads the global transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. This shift reflects a major change in the national economic strategy toward sustainable technology.

Why is manufacturing still such a big source of wealth in China?

While technology receives considerable attention, China remains the world's manufacturing hub. Billionaires in home appliances, metals, and textiles provide the essential goods and infrastructure that support the broader global economy, ensuring steady wealth generation for their founders.

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Top 20 Millionaires In China

1. Zhong Shanshan

Chairman of Nongfu Spring and Wantai Biological

2. Zhang Yiming

Founder and Former Chairman of ByteDance

3. Ma Huateng

Co-founder and CEO of Tencent

4. Robin Zeng

Chairman of CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology)

5. William Ding

Founder and CEO of NetEase

6. Colin Huang

Founder of PDD Holdings (Pinduoduo and Temu)

7. Lei Jun

Founder and CEO of Xiaomi

8. Jack Ma

Co-founder of Alibaba Group

9. He Xiangjian

Founder of Midea Group

10. Zheng Shuliang

Chairperson of Weiqiao Pioneering Group

11. Huang Shilin

Former Vice Chairman of CATL

12. Wang Chuanfu

Founder and Chairman of BYD

13. Wang Ning

Founder and CEO of Pop Mart

14. Qin Yinglin

Chairman of Muyuan Foods

15. Chen Tianshi

Founder and CEO of Cambricon Technologies

16. Zhong Huijuan

Founder and Chair of Hansoh Pharmaceutical

17. Zhang Zhidong

Co-founder of Tencent

18. Lu Xiangyang

Co-founder of BYD and Founder of Youngy Group

19. Eric Li (Li Shufu)

Chairman of Geely Holding Group

20. Yu Yong

Chairman of Cathay Fortune Corporation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is currently the richest person in China?

How did the billionaires on this list make their money?

Is Jack Ma still one of the richest people in China?

What is the significance of the "green energy" billionaires?

Why is manufacturing still such a big source of wealth in China?

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