China has second-most billionaires on Forbes' global rich list
Twenty-six Chinese nationals joined Forbes magazine’s recently published Global Rich List this year, bringing the country's total number of billionaires on the list to 122.
The number of global billionaires hit a record 1,426 in 2013, with Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim claiming the top spot once again and Bill Gates, Amancio Ortega, Warren Buffet and Larry Ellison nabbing the next four spots on the list.
The US took the lead with the most billionaires in a country at 442, followed by mainland China at 122, Russia at 110 and Germany at 58.
The number of billionaires from the mainland has recovered from last year, when it was 96. In 2010, there were 110. Analysts attribute this year’s surge to the pickup in equity and property markets.
Hong Kong, categorised separately from the mainland, had 29 tycoons make the list and Taiwan, 26.
Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka-shing took the title as the world’s eighth richest, while Henderson boss Lee Shau-kee came in at 24. Sun Hung Kai scions Thomas and Raymond Kwok - together worth US$20 billion - shared 26th place.
From the mainland, Wahaha founder and the country's richest person Zong Qinghou punched in at 67th, buoyed by healthy profits from his beverage empire.
Dalian Wanda chairman Wang Jianlin, who orchestrated the acquisition of US theatre franchise AMC Entertainment last May, came in at 86, and Liang Wengen, head of Sany construction equipment firm, followed at No 158.
Internet magnates Robin Li of Baidu and Ma Huateng of Tencent took 172nd and 173rd place, respectively.
The 10 richest people on the planet in 2013
| Rank | Name | Age | Nationality | Net Worth (US$100m) | Source |
| 1 | Carlos Slim | 73 | Mexico | 730 | Telecoms |
| 2 | Bill Gates | 57 | United States | 670 | Microsoft |
| 3 | Amancio Ortega | 76 | Spain | 570 | Zara |
| 4 | Warren Buffett | 82 | United States | 535 | Berkshire Hathaway |
| 5 | Larry Ellison | 68 | United States | 430 | Oracle |
| 6 | Charles Koch | 77 | United States | 340 | Diversified |
| 7 | David Koch | 72 | United States | 340 | Diversified |
| 8 | Li Ka-shing | 84 | Hong Kong, China | 310 | Diversified |
| 9 | Lillane Bettencourt | 90 | France | 300 | L'Oreal |
| 10 | Bernard Arnault | 64 | France | 290 | LVMH |
Source: Forbes - The World's Billionaires 2013
