ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming returns to top of China’s 2026 rich list

The overall list grew, too. Hurun counted a record 1,529 people with more than 5 billion yuan (about $750 million), up 6.6% from last year. The institute cross-checked its information with entrepreneurs, regulators, industry experts and others while acknowledging limitations, according to the AP report.

Hoogewerf described a divide within those fortunes: gains for entrepreneurs in AI, semiconductors and robotics, and declines for those in consumer businesses, real estate and traditional manufacturing. He called it a “two-speed economy” and said no mainland property developer made the top 100 for the first time, CBS News reported.