TENCENT(HK:00700) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-30 13:08Core Insights - Zhang Zhidong, co-founder of Tencent, is a low-profile yet significant figure in the Chinese internet industry, known for his technical expertise and substantial wealth, estimated at over $25.9 billion [1][23]. Education and Early Career - Born in 1972 in Dongguan, Guangdong, Zhang developed an early interest in computers and pursued a degree in computer science at Shenzhen University, a relatively niche field at the time [3]. - After obtaining his bachelor's degree, he continued his education with a master's degree at South China University of Technology, focusing on network technology and software development [5]. - Zhang's early career included working at Shenzhen Dawn Computer Network Co., where he gained practical experience in network systems [8]. Entrepreneurial Journey - In 1998, Zhang co-founded Tencent with Ma Huateng and others, initially focusing on a wireless paging system, which quickly became obsolete [9]. - The company pivoted to instant messaging software, launching OICQ in 1999, which later became QQ, rapidly gaining millions of users [11]. - Despite facing challenges during the dot-com bubble, Zhang's commitment to QQ's potential helped the company survive, leading to its IPO in Hong Kong in 2004 [15]. Technological Contributions - Zhang played a crucial role in the technical architecture of Tencent's products, ensuring they could support a massive user base, which later included the successful launch of WeChat in 2011 [17]. - By June 2025, WeChat is projected to have over 1.4 billion monthly active users, contributing to Tencent's expected revenue of 660 billion RMB in 2024 [17]. Legacy and Retirement - In 2014, Zhang stepped down from his executive roles at Tencent to focus on education and mentoring within the company, earning respect as the "Father of QQ" [21]. - His wealth primarily comes from his stake in Tencent, and he maintains a simple lifestyle, driving ordinary cars and avoiding public attention [24][27]. - Zhang's story exemplifies the impact of technical expertise on success in the fast-evolving Chinese internet landscape, highlighting the importance of knowing when to step back [26][29].