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China’s richest man Zhong Shanshan tried journalism, farmed prawns and sold turtle pills before founding Nongfu Spring water
STORYTan Jou Teng
- Meeting fellow Hangzhou native Zong Qinghou, CEO of Wahaha, was a major turning point
- After a chequered business career in Hainan, today Zhong’s beverage company and other holdings are worth US$66.8 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index
Zhong Shanshan’s inspirational journey to becoming a self-made billionaire started with decades of perseverance and hard work. Now China’s richest man, with an estimated fortune of US$66.8 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, the 66-year-old is not only the chairman of Nongfu Spring but also the owner of Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise.
To get to his current exalted position, Zhong learned the hard way, gaining experience in the media, sales and even farming industries.
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During the Cultural Revolution of 1966-76, Zhong’s parents were seen as intellectuals meaning that his education was cut short. Dropping out of junior school, he helped support his family, working as a bricklayer and carpenter for the next 10 years.
Zhong twice failed the college entrance exam after it was reinstated in 1977, but followed his parents’ advice and finally was able to enrol at what is now called Zhejiang Radio and TV University.
After graduation, he worked as a reporter for the Zhejiang Daily. In 1988, the declaration of the Hainan Special Economic Zone made Zhong decide to quit his job and move to the island province. There he first established the Pacific Post newspaper, then, after its failure, a mushroom business.