Wahaha founder Zong Qinghou's three other children froze $1.8 billion in Hong Kong to claim trusts he wrote by hand

Zong Qinghou built Wahaha into China's largest beverage maker. His eldest daughter, Zong Fuli, took control after his death in 2024. In December 2024, three other children, Jacky Zong, Jessie Jieli Zong and Jerry Jisheng Zong, sued in Hong Kong. Reports describe them as his children with another woman^†. They say that in January 2024 their father wrote instructions for a $700 million Hong Kong trust for each of them. On 2 February 2024 he signed a power of attorney letting Zong Fuli hold the assets of Jian Hao Ventures as trustee and set up the three trusts. On 14 March 2024 all four children signed an agreement affirming his will. The HSBC account in question held $1.8 billion on 31 May 2024. The three say the trusts were never set up. The Hong Kong High Court froze the account in August 2025. Caixin reported on 22 July 2026 that Zong Fuli lost her appeal, and the freeze stays until a court in Hangzhou decides whether the three are beneficiaries. In March 2026, production halted at Wahaha plants during a reshuffle of control, and Zong Fuli agreed to pay more than 2 billion yuan for the state-owned stake. No Hangzhou ruling or next hearing has been reported.