Zhong Shanshan
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Amidst Wahaha Controversy, Zhong Shanshan’s Past Remarks Resurface: “Our Money is Clean. Capital is Ruthless, But People Have Ethics.”
A family feud within Wahaha Group, involving claims of founder Zong Qinghou’s undisclosed children and a $2 billion inheritance battle in Hong Kong, is trending on Chinese social media. The dispute has triggered discussions about the beverage company’s succession and values. Simultaneously, resurfaced comments from Nongfu Spring’s founder Zhong Shanshan, emphasizing ethics, national commitment, and earned honor, are being interpreted as a subtle commentary on Wahaha’s internal conflict.
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Zhong Shanshan Addresses OEM Rumors: Open to Outsourcing, Says Nongfu Spring Products Exempt
Nongfu Spring Chairman Zhong Shanshan addressed outsourcing speculations at the company’s 2024 shareholders meeting, asserting its fully integrated production model excludes third-party manufacturing. He emphasized proprietary control from water sourcing to labeling, supported by 14 protected reserves and 30 facilities enabling localized supply chains within 500 km of markets. Analysts highlight this vertically integrated strategy as a competitive differentiator despite higher costs, aligning with Nongfu’s 21% market dominance in China’s $15B bottled water sector. Zhong’s remarks reflect broader industry debates about balancing scalability with quality assurance amid rival partnerships like Wahaha-Jinmailang.
