ByteDance Founder Zhang Yiming Leads China's Richest List

ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming reclaimed the top position on the list of China's richest people with a record net worth of $100 billion. According to the Hurun Research Institute, Zhang's wealth increased by 43 percent, a surge driven primarily by the company's expansion into artificial intelligence.

The rankings reveal a polarized two-speed economy. While AI, semiconductors, and robotics entrepreneurs saw significant gains, those in consumer and real estate sectors experienced declines. One in ten individuals on the list now derives their fortune from AI, while mainland property developers have vanished from the top 100 for the first time, leaving only Hong Kong landlord families in the upper ranks.

Other high-tech leaders, including CATL chairman Robin Zeng and DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng, also saw wealth increases. In contrast, Xiaomi chairman Lei Jun was the biggest faller, with his wealth dropping to $25.1 billion. These shifts occur as China's broader economy grew 4.5 percent in the July-September quarter, supported by exports and government backing for electric vehicles and AI despite a prolonged property market downturn.