Chinese Heiress Takes Over Beverage Empire After Power Struggle

Chinese beverage heiress Kelly Zong Fuli has been appointed as chairman of Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co., the beverage giant founded by her father, according to business registration information.

Zong was listed as chairman, general manager and legal representative for Hangzhou-based Wahaha in the latest update of its business registration profile, according to corporate information platform Tianyancha.

Since her father’s death in February, Zong has faced significant challenges from steering the empire through internal shareholder disputes to declining sales amid an economic downturn. In July, Wahaha said she will continue her managerial responsibilities after “friendly” discussions among shareholders and ...