On February 25, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., Zong Qinghou, the founder and chairman of Wahaha Group, passed away in Hangzhou at the age of 79 due to illness.
Upon the announcement of his passing, numerous entrepreneurs expressed their condolences. Alibaba's founder, Jack Ma, sent a condolence couplet: "Life's battle at forty is not too late, pioneer spirit; Entrepreneurship seeks innovation day and night, true colors of an entrepreneur."
These two sentences by Jack Ma succinctly encapsulate Zong Qinghou's lifetime.
Public records show that in 1987, Zong Qinghou took over the struggling Hangzhou School-run Enterprise Distribution Department in the Shangcheng District with a borrowed sum of 140,000 CNY, initially making money by selling soda, popsicles, and toys on commission.
Whenever the school called, regardless of the weather, 42-year-old Zong Qinghou would immediately hop on his tricycle to deliver products to the school.
In July of the same year, Zong Qinghou founded the Hangzhou Baolinge Children's Nutritional Food Factory (later renamed "Hangzhou Wahaha Nutritional Food Factory").
In 1988, "Wahaha" developed its first nutritional product specifically for children.
Over more than 30 years, under Zong Qinghou's leadership, "Wahaha" gradually grew into a leading food and beverage enterprise integrating purified water, beverages, and healthcare products.
Earlier, Xiaomi Group's founder, Lei Jun, also mourned Zong Qinghou, calling him a legendary figure.
"When I was young, I never drank Wahaha AD calcium milk, nor did I know him. In 1987, he led two retired teachers from the school-run enterprise and borrowed 140,000 CNY to establish the 'Wahaha' brand. I've read a book about him for over 20 years, which left a deep impression on me, and I greatly admire him. A legend, farewell on your journey," Lei Jun said.
Zhou Hongyi commented, "When it comes to Mr. Zong, what impressed me the most was when I was just starting my business and trying to establish a nationwide agency system for internet products. Running from one agent to another was extremely tough, repeating the same words, very frustrating. Lei Jun recommended that I read a book about Wahaha called 'Exceptional Marketing,' which enlightened me. Such a successful entrepreneur as Mr. Zong tirelessly repeated himself many times in establishing his marketing network. As a young man, as an entrepreneur, what reason do I have to complain about being tired?
Later, whenever I found myself repeatedly explaining my own ideas in many situations, I would recall Mr. Zong's scenes of promoting Wahaha. Mr. Zong has now flown to the west on a crane, and I hope his spirit will continue to inspire more entrepreneurs in China to work together."
