宗泽后

Zong Zehou, male, native to Hangzhou, Zhejiang, is the younger brother of Zong Qinghou. His family's ancestor was the renowned Song Dynasty official Zong Ze, and Zong Zehou is his twenty-ninth-generation descendant. The family has five siblings; Zong Zehou is the fourth child. The family was once prominent in history, but after 1949, their economic situation changed. His father, Zong Qilü, worked at the Suxian Post Office in Jiangsu Province, and the family’s financial condition became strained, with his mother supporting the family as a primary school teacher earning a modest salary.

In the 1990s, Zong Zehou began engaging in various business activities in the United States, including selling canned goods, clothing, skateboards, water dispensers, as well as developing flame retardants and environmentally friendly cleaning agents, accumulating substantial capital and resources. During his over twenty years in the U.S., he experienced multiple entrepreneurial ventures.

In 2011, Zong Zehou returned to China to participate in the Zhejiang business return initiative. He founded HaoWeike Food and Beverage Co., Ltd., successfully developing sparkling water products. On May 17, 2016, he established Dali Zongsheng Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., focusing on vending machine operations. On June 25, 2017, Zong Zehou, representing Wahaha, signed a procurement contract with Shanghai Shenlan Technology Co., Ltd. to promote unmanned retail technology. By 2017, he had installed over five thousand vending machines at Wahaha retail locations. In early 2022, he appointed Wu Jian as president of Zongsheng Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., emphasizing the importance of protecting employee benefits and customer interests.

In April 2024, Zong Zehou became a major shareholder of WaoJiao Liquor (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., holding a 51% stake; the company is controlled by Guizhou Wamao Liquor Group. Additionally, he is involved in several legal disputes related to his businesses, including equity transfer disputes, contract enforcement issues, and trademark infringements.

Regarding his family, Zong Zehou is the younger brother of Zong Qinghou, founder and chairman of Wahaha Group. His other family members include his elder brother, Zong Qinghou, and Ningbo Wahaha Group; his second brother, Zong Duan, legal representative of Hangzhou Sanhe Food Additives Co., Ltd.; his sister, Zong Ruili, legal representative of Shanghai Boshen Human Resources Co., Ltd.; and his younger brother, Zong Yu, legal representative of Zhejiang Chengxin Packaging Co., Ltd. His niece, Zong Fuli, is Vice Chairman and General Manager of Wahaha Group. Zong Zehou has publicly commented on Fuli’s management style.

He is passionate about sports, often playing ball games or taking walks in his free time. Starting in 2024, he has posted memoirs on social media recounting his experiences, mainly related to Wahaha’s development and his relationship with Zong Qinghou. He actively participates in social activities, having visited Hohhot in 2017.

Controversies involving Zong Zehou include legal cases related to share transfers, trademark infringements, and the “WaoMao Liquor” incident. In October 2022, a product called “WaoMao Liquor” drew attention for its appearance, which was suspected of imitating Moutai. It was subsequently subject to administrative penalties. At the end of 2024, his company was fined 800,000 yuan for trademark infringement. He has also publicly criticized competitors and internal personnel online, involved in multiple lawsuits and disputes, demonstrating a complex situation in his business and legal affairs.