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TikTok Founder Becomes China’s Richest Person

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 30, 2024

Zhang Yiming, the visionary behind ByteDance and its flagship app TikTok, has ascended to the status of the richest person in China, boasting a remarkable fortune of $49.3 billion. This milestone marks a significant 43% increase in his wealth since 2023, according to the latest Hurun Research Institute report.

Key Highlights

Zhang, 41, co-founded ByteDance and stepped down from his leadership role in 2021. However, he continues to hold around 20% of the company’s shares, ensuring his substantial stake in its ongoing success. TikTok has emerged as a global phenomenon, captivating millions of users worldwide despite ongoing security concerns and accusations regarding its ties to the Chinese government. ByteDance has vigorously denied these allegations, which suggest that TikTok could be a tool for espionage.

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The platform’s future remains uncertain, particularly with the impending U.S. ban on TikTok set for January 2025. This move forces ByteDance to consider selling its highly prized recommendation algorithm, a crucial element that has propelled TikTok to unprecedented heights in the social media landscape.

Despite the challenges posed by U.S. regulations, ByteDance reported an impressive 60% increase in global profits last year, demonstrating its resilience and adaptability in a competitive market. Zhang Yiming’s rise to wealth also reflects broader trends in the Chinese tech industry, where economic conditions have shifted significantly.

The Tech Landscape in China

Zhang is not alone at the top of China’s wealth rankings. Ma Huateng, the head of Tencent, known for its dominance in the gaming industry, ranks third with an estimated net worth of $43.5 billion. However, the fortunes of these tech giants have not been immune to the economic slowdown affecting China. This downturn has hindered competitors from achieving more substantial gains, leading to a situation where only 30% of the individuals on the rich list saw an increase in their net worth this year.

The concentration of wealth among these tech leaders highlights the unique dynamics of China’s economy, where innovation and digital platforms continue to play pivotal roles. As Zhang Yiming solidifies his position at the top, the future of TikTok and ByteDance will be closely watched, particularly in the context of global regulatory pressures and market competition.

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Cyprus Achieves 23.2% Reduction In Energy Intensity As EU Economies Decouple Growth And Consumption

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2026

Overview

Cyprus has recorded a remarkable 23.2% decrease in net domestic energy use intensity over the past decade, signaling a decisive move toward improved energy efficiency. Eurostat reports that the overall EU economy utilized 56.1 million terajoules of energy in 2023, a 4.1% decline from the previous year, as countries continue efforts to decouple economic growth from energy consumption.

Sector Analysis

Within the EU’s energy landscape, public and private sector activities accounted for 72.3% of total energy use, while households consumed the remaining 27.7%. The manufacturing sector emerged as the largest individual consumer at 14.3 million terajoules, representing 25.5% of overall usage. Meanwhile, sectors related to the supply of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning recorded an 8.7% reduction between 2022 and 2023, while manufacturing registered a 5.5% decline. In contrast, the transportation and storage sector posted an 8.1% increase, reflecting shifting demand patterns.

Comparative Performance And Regional Trends

Cyprus’ performance stands out among regional peers. Greece, for example, registered a 19.6% reduction in energy intensity over the same period. Broader EU trends show mixed progress: Estonia and Ireland recorded the fastest declines in energy consumption, while Malta and Lithuania experienced increases. These differences highlight the importance of targeted policies and infrastructure investment in driving efficiency gains.

Conclusion

The sustained drop in energy intensity demonstrates that economies can increase output without proportional rises in energy consumption. This trend supports a broader EU objective of aligning economic growth with sustainable energy practices. Cyprus’ performance sets a strong benchmark for both businesses and policymakers, illustrating the productivity gains that can be achieved through effective energy management.