Zhong Shanshan is now the richest man of Asia. A Chinese billionaire, Zhong Shanshan has overtaken India’s Mukesh Ambani to achieve this feat. Reportedly, his net worth has reached $77.8 billion from $70.9 billion this year. With his newest achievement, Zhong has managed to rank eleventh in Bloomberg’s World Billionaires Index.
Zhong is 66-year-old and unlike other rich families, he has no connection as well as interest in politics. He is locally known as the “Lone Wolf.” Acquiring the top position in the world’s most populous continent is an extraordinary achievement considering that he was hardly a known figure outside his own country.
Reportedly, Zhong gained massive success in two fields. He first managed vaccine maker Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co public in April and later saw massive boom in his bottled water maker business by Nongfu Spring. While Nongfu’s shares have jumped 155 per cent since their debut, Wantai’s have increased by more than 2,000 per cent. Zhong’s firm, Wantai, is also among those developing a Covid-19 vaccine.
Ambani, who has now escalated to the second position, had a remarkable year, too. From partnership with foreign groups to taking over the e-commerce platforms with JioMart, Ambani saw his business expanding in more than one way.
Zhong’s success comes at a time when Chinese government has increased scrutiny which have led to the downfall of many companies. However, Zhong’s business only saw unexpected boom. He also surpassed Chinese tycoon Jack Ma, who was earlier the second-richest person of Asia.