Net Worth: $5.8 billion Company: BYD Industry: Battery, Automobile Age: 43. His BYD, which makes electric cars and batteries, got jolt from recent Warren Buffett investment; stock up 6 times this year.
2 Liu Yongxing
3 Zong Qinghou
4 Lu Xiangyang
Net Worth: $4.1 billion Company: Guangzhou Youngy Mgt & Investment Group
Industry: Investment Finance Age: 47. Vice chairman of BYD, cofounded auto and battery maker with cousin Wang Chuanfu (No. 1). Worked as a banker for 14 years. Now also runs his own investment company, Guangzhou Rongjie Investment.
5 Yang Huiyan
Net Worth: $3.9 billion Company: Country Garden Industry: Real Estate Age: 28 Yang’s wealth is up three-fourths in past year but still well below her 2007 net worth of $16.2 billion when she topped the China ranks. Her fortune is tied up in her holding in Guangdong developer Country Garden, run by dad Yeung Kwok Keung, who transferred the shares to her. Ohio State grad is now apparently responsible for supervising the company’s procurement and resource strategies.
6 Hui Wing Mau (Xu Rongmao)
Net Worth: $3.85 billion Company: Shimao Group Industry: Real Estate Age: 59 Seasoned developer is coming through latest real estate cycle in good shape. Operating profit at his Shimao Property Holdings increased by 36% in first half of 2009. Hot seller: units of Shanghai Riviera Garden’s newest tower near city’s Lujiazui financial district. Has been buying up land in hometown province of Fujian, where prices are rising on hopes for better relations with nearby Taiwan
7 Ma Huateng
8 Liu Zhongtian
9 Zhang Jindong
Net Worth: $3.7 billion Company: Suning Appliances Industry: Retail-Appliances Age: 46. Founded electronics-appliance retailer Suning Appliance, now China’s second biggest, in 1990; its shares have doubled in past year. Group has announced plans to buy 27% stake in Japanese home electronics chain Laox. Zhang also invests in property on the mainland. Brother Zhang Guiping is No. 24.
10 Wang Jianlin