China bottled water giant Nongfu Spring under fire from nationalists

Company's shares plunge amid 'pro-Japan' criticism

20240311 Nongfu Spring

Hangzhou-based bottled water and soft drinks company Nongfu Spring was founded by Zhong Shanshan, China's wealthiest person. © AP

CISSY ZHOU, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- China's online nationalists have found the latest target for their ire: Nongfu Spring, the Hangzhou-based bottled water and soft drinks giant whose founder, Zhong Shanshan, is the country's wealthiest person.

Nongfu Spring's Hong Kong shares plunged for three consecutive days -- wiping off around 30 billion yuan ($4 billion) in market cap -- and reached a new low last week since late January as internet users heaped criticism on the company for, including other things, being "pro-Japan."

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