China’s second-richest man demands apology from country’s richest over online attacks

By Phong Ngo November 22, 2024 | 05:36 am PT

Zhong Shanshan, China’s second-richest person, has called for an apology from Zhang Yiming, the nation’s wealthiest man and ByteDance founder, for the alleged role of his platforms in “spreading rumors and misinformation.”

In a speech delivered in Jiangxi Province on Wednesday, 69-year-old Zhong, founder and chairman of China’s largest packaged drinks company Nongfu Spring criticized Zhang, 41, for allowing ByteDance platforms such as Douyin and Toutiao to amplify nationalist-driven attacks against Nongfu Spring. "I look forward to your apology and I will keep waiting for it," Zhong said in a public speech in Jiangxi Province on Wednesday, according to the South China Morning Post.

Earlier this year, Nongfu Spring faced a consumer boycott fueled by nationalist trolls online, who accused the brand’s packaging of mimicking Japanese aesthetics. Zhong claimed ByteDance’s platforms escalated the attacks, harming his company and personal image.

Zhong Shanshan, Chinas second-richest man according to Huruns latest rankings. Photo from Facebook

Zhong Shanshan, China's second-richest man, and founder and chairman of China’s largest packaged drinks company Nongfu Spring. Photo from Facebook

"I request Toutiao and Douyin not to use the so-called safe harbor principle to sidestep their responsibility," Zhong said. "Please immediately remove [content] that hurts and slanders me."

He emphasized that Zhang, the former CEO and board member of ByteDance, whom he described as the "actual controller of ByteDance," "should follow the rules of business civility."

When contacted on Thursday, ByteDance declined to comment.

Zhong’s remarks come amid Beijing’s renewed commitment to protect private businesses and entrepreneurs from online harassment. These efforts are part of the government’s push to restore confidence in the private sector and stimulate economic growth.

Nongfu Spring has reported financial losses attributed to the online attacks. The company’s interim report revealed an 18% decline in bottled water sales, falling to 8.53 billion yuan (US$1.18 billion) in the first half of 2024.

"Since the end of February 2024, our brand and sales have been severely impacted in a negative way due to a surge of online attacks and malicious defamation against our company and its founder," a company representative said.