宗氏家族“信托案”管辖权为何在杭州？

Core Viewpoint - The recent court ruling in Hong Kong regarding the Zong family trust dispute reveals significant details about the offshore family trust conflicts involving the Wahaha Group and its stakeholders [1][3]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Zong Jichang, Zong Jieli, and Zong Jisheng, children of Du Jianying, while the defendant is Zong Fuli, the only daughter of Zong Qinghou and Shi Youzhen [1]. - The Hong Kong High Court's ruling is procedural and aims to assist the ongoing substantive trust case in Hangzhou, rather than providing a final judgment on asset ownership [3][7]. - The plaintiffs submitted evidence indicating that the case was formally filed in July at the Zhejiang High People's Court [4]. Group 2: Trust Establishment and Jurisdiction - A handwritten document from Zong Qinghou indicated an intention to establish trusts for his three children, each valued at $700 million, but the trust was not formally established [2][16]. - The jurisdiction for the main case is determined to be the Hangzhou court, as per the agreement signed by the parties involved, which stipulates that disputes should be resolved there [5][6]. - The Zhejiang High People's Court accepted the case due to the significant amount involved, with the assets in question exceeding $1.799 billion [14][15]. Group 3: Trust Validity and Legal Implications - The trust intended by Zong Qinghou was not fully executed before his death, raising questions about its validity as a will trust [16][22]. - Zong Qinghou left two wills, neither of which included the plaintiffs as beneficiaries, complicating the recognition of the trust [22]. - The ongoing disputes center around the trust's asset scope, trustee authority, and establishment progress, with the Hong Kong court leaving these determinations to the mainland courts [20][21]. Group 4: Future Legal Challenges - The plaintiffs face challenges in establishing the trust, including defining trust assets, proving familial relationships, and navigating procedural hurdles [28]. - The potential for disputes over the principal and interest of the trust assets remains, with the need for further evidence and judicial clarification in the Hangzhou court [27][28].