Who became the richest in 2025 — analysis of the technology and consumer empires of the Middle Kingdom

The summer of 2025 was marked by the publication of an up-to-date list of the ten wealthiest entrepreneurs in China. Among them are the founders of digital giants, heads of industrial holdings and innovators who have had an impact on the global market. The center of gravity of Chinese wealth is gradually shifting from traditional industrial tycoons to technological visionaries and producers of digital consumption. The reason is the rapid growth of digital services, toy retail, and online commerce in the post-covid era and the digital transformation of consumer habits.

Zhang Yiming: TikTok as a global media resource

Net worth: $ 65.5 billion
Age: 41 years old

Zhang Yiming remains the largest private shareholder in ByteDance, which owns TikTok. The app continues to dominate the short video market, becoming a full-fledged media platform with more than a billion users. Despite Zhang's removal from operational management, his control over the ByteDance ecosystem allows him to maintain leadership. In the face of geopolitical risks, the company has increased its diversification, developing platforms in the field of education and e-commerce. TikTok is no longer just entertainment, but a global tool of influence — from marketing to political campaigns.

Zhong Shanshan: Water and biotechnology are the foundation of sustainable wealth

Net worth: $ 58.7 billion
Age: 70 years old

Zhong Shanshan, a former construction worker and journalist, made a fortune producing Nongfu Spring drinking water. But a strategically important asset was Wantai's biotech business, which played a key role during the pandemic. Its approach is diversification based on the basic needs of the population: water and health. In the face of environmental challenges and an aging Chinese population, its assets are showing stability and growth.

Ma Huateng: WeChat and Tencent as the core of the digital economy

Net worth: $ 52.2 billion
Age: 53 years old

Ma Huateng is the head of Tencent — one of the largest IT holdings in Asia. The company controls the WeChat messenger, banking app, and marketplace all rolled into one. Tencent also dominates the online gaming industry, including Honor of Kings and its collaboration with Epic Games. The holding is steadily expanding its investment portfolio, including in Western assets-Tesla, Spotify, and AI startups.

Lei Jun: Smartphones and electric cars in one chain

Net worth: $ 46.2 billion
Age: 55 years old

Lei Jun, who heads Xiaomi, is building an ecosystem that combines gadgets, smart homes, and transportation. In 2024, the company introduced its own SU7 electric car, which was an important step towards vertical integration of technologies. Xiaomi is a symbol of the new Chinese manufacturing paradigm that combines scale, accessibility and technology. The company's strategy is not just sales, but the formation of a digital lifestyle.

William Dean: Pioneer of Digital Entertainment Monetization

Net worth: $ 42.4 billion
Age: 53 years old

The head of NetEase, William Dean, was at the origin of gaming in China. Today, his studio creates popular mobile games, while simultaneously developing platforms for online education and music. With VR and metaverses growing, NetEase's assets are perceived as key to the long-term development of the digital environment.

Colin Huang: A new generation of trading

Net worth: $ 37.9 billion
Age: 45 years old

Colin Huang is the founder of Pinduoduo and Temu, an international marketplace that competes with Amazon and AliExpress. Its model focuses on social commerce and economies of scale. The growth rate of Temu in the US and Europe indicates a change in the global logistics architecture — China is strengthening its position as a supplier of not only goods, but also platforms.

He Xiangjian: household appliances as the basis of the people's economy

Net worth: $ 27.9 billion
Age: 82 years old

The creator of Midea, one of the largest manufacturers of home appliances, remains a symbol of industrial China. In the face of global demand for energy-efficient appliances and smart homes, Midea is actively integrating IoT solutions and automation.

Jack Ma: Legend and Symbol

Net worth: $ 25.7 billion
Age: 60 years old

Although Jack Ma is no longer running Alibaba, his influence on the Chinese economy is undeniable. In the face of tougher regulations, Alibaba is adapting its strategies to focus on local markets and logistics services. Ma remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Chinese entrepreneurship.

Wang Chuanfu: Electric vehicles for the mass market

Net worth: $ 24.5 billion
Age: 59 years old

BYD, founded by Wang Chuanfu, has become the world's largest electric car manufacturer, surpassing Tesla in sales. The company develops its product line from batteries to buses and logistics. In the context of the global energy transition, BYD is strengthening its position in the markets of Europe, South America and Africa.

Wang Ning: toys are a serious business

Net worth: $ 22.3 billion
Age: 38 years old

Wang Ning and Pop Mart are a phenomenon of modern consumer culture. Toys in the "blind box" format have become collectibles and investments. Labubu's success in Asia and beyond shows how emotional marketing and limited editions can transform a mass-market product into an iconic consumer item.