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China’s second-wealthiest individual, Zhong Shanshan, has publicly called on Zhang Yiming, founder of ByteDance, to issue an apology for the role ByteDance’s social media platforms allegedly played in spreading false information that damaged his reputation.
Zhong, 69, is the founder and chairman of Nongfu Spring, China’s leading bottled drinks company. According to Hurun’s latest rankings, he is the country’s second-richest person, while Zhang, 41, holds the top position.
Zhong’s demand, made during a speech in Jiangxi province, quickly attracted widespread media attention in China. He accused ByteDance’s platforms, including Douyin (the Chinese counterpart of TikTok) and Toutiao (a popular news aggregation app), of facilitating the spread of “rumours and misinformation.” These actions, Zhong claims, have not only tarnished his reputation but also adversely affected Nongfu Spring’s business.
Earlier this year, Nongfu Spring became the target of nationalist criticism online, with users accusing the company of adopting Japanese-style packaging. The backlash, fueled by nationalist sentiments, triggered calls for boycotts of Nongfu Spring’s products. Zhong claims these attacks were amplified and perpetuated by ByteDance’s platforms, which he believes failed to moderate harmful content effectively.
This incident reignited debates in China about the role of social media in fostering nationalist sentiment and the responsibilities of platforms, opinion leaders, and the government in managing public discourse. Zhong’s public remarks mark the first instance of a prominent businessman openly blaming online platforms for such issues, adding a new dimension to the conversation.
Zhong’s criticisms also come at a time when ByteDance is under increased scrutiny for its influence in the digital space. Douyin, China’s leading short-video app, boasts hundreds of millions of users and serves as a major platform for sharing content and public opinion. Similarly, Toutiao curates news content for millions of readers daily, further amplifying its role in shaping narratives.
Source: SCMP
