Zong Qinghou

Following Zong Qinghou’s death, Wahaha Group, led by Zong Fuli, faces challenges amid public attention on the inheritance of Zong Qinghou’s vast estate. Scrutiny focuses on Zong Fuli’s management and whether the Zong family can effectively lead the beverage company forward.

Wahaha founder Zong Qinghou is facing rumors of illegitimate children, sparking public disappointment. Experts highlight the risks of companies being overly reliant on their founders, citing examples like Gree, Xiaomi, Tesla and Apple. Analysts believe Wahaha’s operations won’t be significantly affected, as product quality depends on production standards, not the leader’s personal life. They caution against creating false rivalries with competitors like Nongfu Spring, urging the public to focus on facts and avoid personality-driven narratives.

The inheritance dispute of Wahaha’s late founder, Zong Qinghou, intensifies as individuals claiming to be his illegitimate children sue for a share of his assets. This includes a $2.1 billion trust and a significant stake in the Wahaha Group. Despite Wahaha’s initial statement that the matter is a private family affair with no impact on business, the Hangzhou Shangcheng District Finance Bureau has intervened by establishing a special task force to address complaints and resolve the issue promptly.

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.