The 2024 New Fortune 500 ranking revealed a general decline in wealth among Chinese entrepreneurs, primarily due to macroeconomic pressures and poor stock market performance. However, the newly released 2025 New Fortune 500 ranking shows a remarkable rebound, with significant increases in net worth across the board.
Data indicates that the total market capitalization of shares held by this year's 500 entrepreneurs or families reached 13.7 trillion yuan, an 11% year-over-year increase—a stark contrast to last year's 8% decline. According to New Fortune magazine, "Innovation and global expansion have accelerated the value-creation capabilities of Chinese private enterprises."
AI Emerges as the Ultimate Wealth Engine, Liang Wenfeng Breaks into Top 10
This year's ranking reflects a major reshuffle: traditional sectors like consumer goods and construction saw stagnant growth, while TMT (Technology, Media, Telecommunications), new energy, and biopharma became the new wealth generators.
AI Reshapes the Top 10 Rankings
Zhang Yiming, 42-year-old founder of ByteDance, claimed the top spot with 481.57 billion yuan in estimated share value—a 42% surge from last year.
- ByteDance, the fastest-growing tech giant globally, boasts a valuation exceeding $400 billion, driven by explosive growth in TikTok, Douyin, and Doubao. Zhang holds a 21% stake, aligning his wealth with the company's soaring valuation.
- Tencent, Alibaba, and Xiaomi leveraged AI to propel Hong Kong stock gains between 23%–65%, securing spots for Ma Huateng, Jack Ma, and Lei Jun in the top 10.
The standout dark horse is Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, who debuted at #10 with 184.62 billion yuan in holdings—nearing the wealth of NetEase’s Ding Lei and Midea’s He Xiangjian.
- DeepSeek’s AI platform, Hangzhou DeepSeek AI Research, reports Liang’s 84% ownership, fueling his rise alongside the company’s valuation spike.
In contrast, former billionaires like Zhong Shanshan (Nongfu Spring) and Colin Huang (Pinduoduo) saw declines of -21% and -28%, respectively, as their companies struggled to harness AI-driven growth.
New Quality Productivity Gains Momentum
Aligned with national economic transformation goals, new quality productivity sectors—like advanced manufacturing and green energy—have become hotbeds for wealth creation.
Key Industry Highlights
TMT Dominance
- 110 entrepreneurs from TMT made the list (up 22 from 2024), with combined wealth hitting 3.34 trillion yuan (+46%).
- Sub-sectors like AI chips and consumer electronics drove gains. For example, Chen Tianshi (Cambricon) saw a 370% wealth surge to 78.6 billion yuan, topping growth charts for two consecutive years.
New Energy & Robotics
17 industry leaders tied to EVs and renewables flourished:
- Zeng Yuqun (CATL): +63% to 272.68 billion yuan.
- Zhang Xinghai (Seres): 78% growth to 56 billion yuan, becoming Chongqing’s richest.
- Robotics pioneers like Wang Xingxing (Unitree Robotics) and Wu Bo (Estun Automation) debuted with 6.69 billion yuan and 6.65 billion yuan, respectively.
👉 Explore how AI is transforming global markets
FAQ Section
Q1: Why did Zhang Yiming’s wealth increase so dramatically?
A: ByteDance’s valuation surge—powered by TikTok and Douyin—combined with his 21% stake fueled a 42% gain in his net worth.
Q2: What industries are declining in the 2025 ranking?
A: Traditional sectors like beverages (Nongfu Spring) and e-commerce (Pinduoduo) underperformed due to limited AI integration.
Q3: How significant is Liang Wenfeng’s rise?
A: His #10 debut reflects DeepSeek’s rapid adoption as China’s top AI platform (1.94B MAUs), with his 84% stake driving valuation spikes.
Q4: Which emerging sectors should investors watch?
A: AI chips, robotics, and EV tech—exemplified by Cambricon, Unitree, and CATL—are poised for long-term growth.
👉 Learn about investment opportunities in AI-driven markets
Conclusion
The 2025 ranking underscores a pivotal shift: AI and innovation are redefining wealth creation, while traditional models fade. As pioneers like Zhang Yiming and Liang Wenfeng lead this transformation, the global economy stands on the brink of a new era—one where adaptability and technological vision separate the winners from the rest.
The next chapter of wealth is being written now. Will you be part of it?
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