On February 25, 2024, a sad news spread across the country. Zong Qinghou, the founder and chairman of Wahaha Group, died at 10:30 on the same day at the age of 79 due to ineffective medical treatment. This entrepreneur who led Wahaha to glory has written an admirable legend with his life.
Zong Qinghou, a name, a history. His life is full of tenacity and hard work, which is a microcosm of the 40-year history of reform and opening up. Starting his business at the age of 42, Zong Qinghou has developed a little-known small business into a leading enterprise in China's food and beverage industry with his extraordinary wisdom and diligence. His success is not only a personal success, but also a testimony to the great practice of China's reform and opening up.
Looking back on Zong Qinghou's entrepreneurial process, it can be described as an epic full of hardships and hard work. He pedaled a tricycle through the streets and alleys of Hangzhou, carrying an old-fashioned floor fan all over the country. It is this diligence and perseverance that made him crawl in the market and eventually become a real business master. He has a deep understanding of the characteristics of the Chinese market, especially the rural and urban markets, and has made Wahaha's products just right, winning the love of consumers.
However, Zong Qinghou did not stop there. He knows that behind the crown of "the richest man", there is more responsibility and responsibility. As a deputy to the National People's Congress, he always paid attention to the issues of people's livelihood and put forward many bills related to people's livelihood. He suggested that the state should establish a tiered housing supply system to reduce the housing cost of the people; He advocated the exemption of personal income tax for wage earners, hoping to increase the income of ordinary people through tax reform. These bills all reflect his deep affection for the country and the people.
In his personal life, Zong Qinghou maintained a simple and low-key attitude. He wore cloth shoes to meetings, took a second-class seat on the high-speed train on a business trip, and spent only 50,000 or 60,000 yuan a year. Such details let people see the demeanor of a true entrepreneur.
Under the leadership of Zong Qinghou, Wahaha has always maintained the pace of innovation and reform. He understands that the times are changing, the market is changing, and if enterprises want to go further and better, they must constantly adapt to changes and carry out reforms. It is this forward-looking thinking that allows Wahaha to always maintain a leading position in the fierce market competition.
Now, Zong Qinghou has left us, but his spirit will always inspire us. His life is the best interpretation of the great practice of reform and opening up, and also the best interpretation of the entrepreneurial spirit. He used his practical actions to prove that as long as you have dreams, courage and diligence, you will be able to create your own brilliance.
Mr. Zong Qinghou, your life is a legendary life and a life of hard work. We are deeply saddened by your passing, but your spirit will live on in our hearts forever. I wish you all the way, and may Wahaha continue to write new legends in the days to come!