This makes him $2 billion richer than previous number one, Alibaba founder Jack Ma, the wealth index said.
Zhong's Nongfu Spring, which claims to be number one in China's massive bottled water market, is ubiquitous across a country where most
people shun tap water for health reasons.
The company raised nearly $1.1 billion in its initial public offering.
Zhong is also the chairman of Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Co. Ltd., a vaccine manufacturer that listed on the mainland in April.
It is developing a Covid-19 vaccine nasal spray in conjunction with a prominent university.
Zhong, a 66-year-old former reporter from Zhejiang who state media say was also once a construction worker, is often referred to by Chinese
media as a "lone wolf" for his rare public appearances and reluctance
to be interviewed.
