March 26, 2026 | 09:40 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -
The ranking of the richest men in China in 2026 sees a remarkable surge, with significant increases in the fortunes of its billionaires. Forbes links this growth to the nation’s booming stock market, fueled by rapid AI advancements and supportive government policies.
Numerically speaking, collective wealth reaches nearly $2.2 trillion. It comes close to the 2021 record of $2.5 trillion, reflecting a 31% rise from the $1.68 trillion recorded in 2025.
So, who made their way onto the prestigious annual list of Forbes’ richest men in China in 2026? Here are the complete top 10 names.
List of the Richest Men in China 2026, According to Forbes
1. Zhang Yiming - $69.3 billion
As of March 2026, Zhang Yiming retains his leading position in the ranking of the richest men in China. As the main cofounder of Chinese tech titan ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, Zhang benefits from the company’s continued development in AI development. In 2021, however, he stepped down as chairman, yet still plays a key role in shaping the company’s long-term AI strategy.
2. Zhong Shanshan - $68.1 billion
The founder and chairman of Nongfu Spring, Zhong Shanshan owes his magnate status to the humble beginnings of his dropping out of elementary school. However, the bottled water company faced a major 2024 nationalist boycott over packaging which was perceived to feature Japanese elements. Zhong is now still recovering from the setback, with the company’s sales also projected to rebound and move forward.
3. Ma Huateng - $53.8 billion
Tencent Holdings chairman and CEO Ma Huateng landed the third spot in the richest men in China 2026 ranking, as fueled by the success of Delta Force. This newer shooter game contributed to a 15% year-on-year growth in revenues to $28 billion in Q3 2025, while net profit was up 18% to $10.2 billion from the same period a year ago. These figures further reinforce predictions that the game will be the next evergreen title after Honor of Kings and Peacekeeper Elite.
4. William Ding - $37.9 billion
Back in 2003, NetEast founder and CEO William Ding was China’s richest man and its first internet and gaming billionaire. Today, Ding retains his dominance in the wealthiest ranking, with a slight fall from the very top spot.
Data shows that the company is set to scale back its international gaming investments as it shifts focus toward a smaller number of high-potential titles. Flagship games such as Eggy Party will continue to drive performance, alongside new releases like the online adventure game Sea of Remnants, aimed at sustaining growth.
5. Colin Huang - $36.6 billion
Colin Huang is the founder of PDD Holdings, who stepped down as chairman in 2021. Despite rounding out the top five, Huang’ net worth has fluctuated amid the company’s run-ins with regulatory hurdles across multiple countries.
6. Zheng Shuliang & Family - $33.2 billion
China Hongqiao Group was founded by Zhang Shiping, the late husband of current vice chairman Zheng Shuliang. The aluminum producer is among the companies benefiting from the AI-driven commodity boom, as global demand for metals rises alongside the expansion of data centers.The company’s stock rally of over 160% in the past year. Alongside Zheng, their son Zhang Bo plays a key role as the company’s chairman and CEO.
7. He Xiangjian - $33.2 billion
He Xiangjian’s retirement as chairman of Midea Group in 2012 has done little to diminish his lasting influence in the industry and his overall wealth. Having founded the company in 1968, the home appliance giant now boasts a diversified portfolio, with shares dual-listed in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It has also expanded into sectors ranging from new energy to robotics, notably taking German robotics firm KUKA private in 2022.
8. Jack Ma - $29.1 billion
Jack Ma cofounded Alibaba Group in 1999 and has since built it into one of the world’s largest e-commerce businesses. His continued presence among the richest men in China, despite stepping down as chairman in 2019, is likely to persist following the company’s aggressive push into AI development. Last year, the budget for AI infrastructure and innovation was reported to exceed $50 billion.
9. Lei Jun - $27.9 billion
Founder and CEO of Xiaomi, Lei Jun, was named the biggest decliner in Forbes’ list of China’s top tycoons. The company has been facing ongoing pressures on multiple fronts. Its smartphone business has been affected by surging memory chip demand, which has contributed to a global shortage of the product. At the same time, Xiaomi’s newer EV unit continues to face intense competition in the market.
10. Yu Yong - $25.4 billion
Rounding out the list is Yu Yong, chairman and CEO of Shanghai-based Cathay Fortune Corp. As the biggest gainer in the ranking, Yu saw his wealth grow by 137%, largely due to his firm’s minority stake in CMOC Group. CMOC’s shares surged more than 200% in Shanghai and nearly 300% in Hong Kong, driven once again by soaring copper prices amid strong demand from the construction of AI data centers worldwide.
The richest men in China have, on average, seen an increase in their total wealth. Though none of them appear on the list of the richest persons in the world, they remain a driving force behind many of the most widely used devices, ranging from digital gadgets to household appliances and e-commerce.
Read: Who Is the Richest Person in the World? 2026 Top 10 List
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