宗馥莉陷资产纠纷被起诉。
宗馥莉陷资产纠纷被起诉。

Former Chinese Richest Man Zong Qinghou Has More Than an Only Daughter: 3 'Half-Siblings' Fight for Inheritance

Published at Jul 15, 2025 03:30 pm
Former Chinese richest man and beverage giant Wahaha Group founder Zong Qinghou passed away in 2024, and his daughter Zong Fuli succeeded as chairman of the group. However, after Zong Fuli took over, she was frequently mired in controversy. Global Times recently reported that Zong Fuli has become embroiled in a massive asset dispute and is being sued in Hong Kong, sparking widespread attention.

According to Bloomberg, Zong Fuli has been sued in Hong Kong court over an asset dispute by three plaintiffs: Zong Jichang, Zong Jieli, and Zong Jisheng. Lawyers for the plaintiffs confirmed that these three are Zong Fuli’s “half-siblings.” Until now, Zong Fuli had always been regarded by the public as Zong Qinghou’s only child.

The plaintiffs' lawyer revealed that the three have also filed lawsuits in Hangzhou courts, seeking to obtain trust fund interests worth $700 million (2.978 billion RMB) each, totaling $2.1 billion (8.934 billion RMB). Reportedly, these trusts were established as per Zong Qinghou’s commitments before his death.

The plaintiffs also claim that Zong Qinghou had instructed his subordinates to set up a trust via HSBC in Hong Kong. The HSBC account had a balance of about $1.8 billion (7.657 billion RMB) at the start of 2024, according to documents. The documents show that as of last May, $1.1 million (4.6793 million RMB) had already been transferred out of the account. The plaintiffs requested to freeze this HSBC account, that Zong Fuli execute her father’s will, pay millions in asset interest, and compensate for losses caused by the transfer of funds.

However, reports state that Zong Fuli's lawyers questioned the validity of the evidence, saying they were not aware of any such instructions from Zong Qinghou. As of press time, neither Wahaha nor Zong Fuli had publicly responded.

Securities Times noted Zong Fuli is Zong Qinghou's daughter, born in January 1982 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. She graduated from Pepperdine University in the United States, returned to China in 2004 after completing her studies, and joined Wahaha. On February 25, 2024, Zong Qinghou passed away due to illness. Afterwards, Zong Fuli began taking over her father's companies, gradually assuming charge of Hangzhou Wahaha Food Company and Zhejiang Wahaha Venture Investment Company, among others.

However, since taking the helm at Wahaha, Zong Fuli has repeatedly faced challenges. In July 2024, a letter allegedly from her resigning as vice chairman went viral online in China. The letter stated that the Shangcheng district government of Hangzhou and some Wahaha Group shareholders had questioned the legitimacy of her leadership after Zong Qinghou’s death, making it impossible for her to continue her duties. However, amidst public attention, the Wahaha Group issued a statement five days later clarifying that Zong Fuli would continue to oversee management.

By the end of August of the same year, Wahaha Group completed an industrial and commercial registration change, and Zong Fuli officially became chairman and general manager, replacing Zong Qinghou as the legal representative. The company’s senior management was extensively reshuffled, with several long-time executives leaving and several new directors and deputy general managers appointed. The equity structure also changed accordingly: Zong Fuli now holds 29.4% of the shares, along with Hangzhou Shangcheng District Cultural Tourism Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd., and the Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co., Ltd. grassroots trade union committee (employee shareholding association) together forming the three major shareholders.

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联合日报newsroom


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