Remembering Zong Qinghou: The People's Chairman and Philanthropist
On February 25, Zong Qinghou, the founder and chairman of Wahaha Group, passed away at the age of 79 due to illness. On the day of his passing, Wahaha Group issued an obituary announcing that a memorial ceremony would be held on February 28 at 10 am at the Wahaha Group Limited's Dashan Factory in Hangzhou. On February 28, it rained heavily in Hangzhou, and despite the bad weather, many people, including former employees, gathered outside the Wahaha Group's factory to pay their respects to Zong Qinghou.
29 February 2024
The memorial ceremony was held indoors, and Zong Qinghua's daughter Zong Huarui delivered a tearful tribute to her father. Flowers and wreaths covered the factory's entrance, and the ceremony attracted a large crowd of attendees, some of whom lined up to offer condolences. Zong Qinghou, born in 1945, was a self-made entrepreneur who founded Wahaha Group in 1987.
Under his leadership, Wahaha became the largest beverage company in China and the largest dairy producer in the world. Despite his immense success, Zong Qinghou was known for his humble and down-to-earth personality, often eating with employees in the factory's canteen.
This earned him the nickname "the people's chairman" among his employees and the general public. Zong Qinghou's management style was also unique. He was known for treating his employees fairly and with respect, and even giving them unexpected bonuses or gifts. This generosity earned him further admiration from his employees and the wider public, with many comparing him favorably to other Chinese business leaders.
One former employee shared on social media that Wahaha Group would issue them a bonus for no apparent reason, which was unheard of in other Chinese companies. This employee expressed their gratitude towards Zong Qinghou and wished for more business leaders like him in the future. Another former employee reminisced about Zong Qinghou's humility, saying that he would often eat in the factory's canteen with his workers.
This was in stark contrast to his son, who the employee had never seen at the canteen. In addition to his success as a businessman, Zong Qinghou was also known for his philanthropic work. He established the Zong Qinghou Foundation, which provided scholarships to students from poor families and supported disaster relief efforts in China. The passing of Zong Qinghou has been widely mourned on Chinese social media, with many former employees and members of the public sharing their memories of him. The hashtag "#老员工称娃哈哈经常莫名其妙发钱#" (#FormerEmployeesSayWahahaOftenGivesUnexpectedBonuses#) has been trending on Weibo, with many users expressing their admiration for Zong Qinghou and their hopes for more business leaders like him in the future. In conclusion, Zong Qinghou was a remarkable figure in Chinese business and a role model for many.
His humble personality, fair treatment of employees, and philanthropic work made him a beloved figure among his employees and the wider public. The legacy he leaves behind will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration for future generations of business leaders in China and beyond. Word Count: 800