China's businessmen are wary as many of those ranked have faced tax probes
US business magazine Forbes will press ahead with compiling a list of the mainland's 100 richest people despite the legal problems associated with some of the previous entrants that have made many entrepreneurs reluctant to co-operate.
'It will be coming out this year as it has in the recent years. I think the basic thrust is the same. We do try to improve it, as we've done in the US for 20 years,' president and chief executive Steve Forbes said during a visit to Shanghai.
Mainland financial industry officials say the central government has made the rankings an unofficial hit-list for tax audits.
Shanghai property tycoon Chau Ching-ngai, ranked 11th last year, is now under investigation for problem loans and land deals. He was recently detained by police in Shanghai, state media said.
Entrepreneur Yang Bin, ranked second in 2001, is on trial for corruption. Car executive Yang Rong, ranked third two years ago, fled abroad when faced with an investigation.