Breaking news on February 25th: Wahaha, a well-known beverage brand in China, has left a lasting impression on many people born in the 1980s and 1990s.
Today, the official account of Wahaha announced the sad news that Zong Qinghou, the founder and chairman of Wahaha Group, has passed away at the age of 79 on February 25th, 2024, after unsuccessful treatment for an illness.
After the announcement, numerous netizens flocked to the comment section of Wahaha's official social media accounts to express their condolences and mourn the loss of Zong Qinghou.
Netizens comments:
"I really grew up drinking Wahaha, full of memories."
"I grew up drinking Wahaha, even the water used for experiments is Wahaha's. Farewell, may there be no sickness in heaven."
"Wahaha AD calcium milk, my childhood, I still love drinking it now. Farewell, Master Zong, have a good journey..."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Zong. Wahaha has accompanied us, the post-90s generation, as we grew up. We will continue to drink, continue with Wahaha."
Many Internet users have been sharing photos of themselves as children drinking Wahaha, as well as various Wahaha cards. Among them, the "Wahaha class schedule" stands out in people's memories.
According to domestic media reports, in 1987, at the age of 42, Zong Qinghou quit his stable job and started his entrepreneurial journey with a borrowed 140,000 CNY.
Zong Qinghou boldly took over the loss-making school-run enterprise distribution department of Hangzhou Shangcheng District, which had only 40,000 CNY in its account and a loan of as much as 140,000 CNY.
At that time, Zong Qinghou's main business was selling ice cream, soda, and exercise books on behalf of others. Although the profits were meager, he was full of enthusiasm. At the age of 42, he even rode a tricycle on the street to sell ice cream.
Gradually, Zong Qinghou had a stable customer base and began to expand into contract manufacturing.
It is reported that in 1989, Zong Qinghou established Hangzhou Wahaha Nutritional Food Factory and successfully launched his own first product - children's nutritional liquid.
It is understood that Wahaha Group's products cover more than ten categories and over 200 varieties, including packaged drinking water, protein drinks, tea beverages, canned food, and dairy products. Among them, AD calcium milk, Yinlu Nutri-Express, and Babao porridge are well-known national products.
