China's former richest man injured in knife attack

Zong Qinghou, board chairman of China's beverage giant, the Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co Ltd, delivers a speech during a forum in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, June 8, 2013. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Zong Qinghou, once China's richest man, was attacked at his home in Hangzhou on Friday by a migrant worker whose job request had been rebuffed by the beverage tycoon.

Zong, board chairman of Hangzhou Wahaha Group, suffered injuries to his left hand and received medical treatment at No. 2 Hospital, affiliated with Zhejiang University, soon after the attack. Tendons on two fingers of his left hand were injured.

According to Wahaha, local police arrested the 49-year-old suspect, surnamed Yang, from Suzhou in Jiangsu province, on Friday afternoon. Earlier this year, Yang borrowed 30,000 yuan ($4,900) to look for a job in Hangzhou, but failed to find any work. A television program that features Zong helping migrant workers inspired Yang to seek help from the billionaire.

Zong, 67, who has already returned to work, is the second-richest man in China with a personal fortune of 115 billion, according to the latest Hurun Rich List.

The attack happened at Zong's riverside apartment building in one of the most luxurious residential communities in Hangzhou. There is only one entry and exit point to the community, which has security guards on duty 24 hours a day.

No one without an electronic card and the relevant password is allowed to enter the complex.

One security guard, surnamed Qiu, said he was not on duty the night Zong was attacked, but denied the assault had taken place inside the community.

Zong, who started his empire by selling iced lollies, has long been the only voice that matters in his family-run business.

However, a new retail venture he started last year, including the WAOW Plaza shopping center, has failed to live up to expectations.

Several members of the retail unit's senior management had been removed from their posts, sparking rumors the attack was related to the sackings.

There were no more than 10 customers at the WAOW Plaza at noon on Wednesday. Some sales assistants chatted with each other, while others played with their phones.

Wang Suzhen, a sales assistant at a women's garment brand, said the scene was a common one at the shopping center. "We are lucky to get one or two customers a day."