(Yicai) July 18 -- Wahaha Group Vice Chairwoman Zong Fuli has resigned, a former executive confirmed to Yicai. Shareholders had questioned her leadership in the months following the death of Zong Qinghou, her father and founder of the Chinese beverage titan.

Zong Fuli submitted her letter of resignation as vice chairwoman and general manager on July 15, saying shareholders challenged the reasonableness of her continued leadership following her father’s death, making it impossible for her to go on, according to screenshots purporting to be of the letter circulating on social media. Several of other executives quit before her, Yicai learned.

Zong Fuli became vice chairwoman and GM after her father, who set up the Hangzhou-based firm that makes the Hello-C, U-Yo, and Nutri-Express drinks in 1987, died in February aged 78. She also took up a directorship at an affiliate called Wahaha Very Cola Beverage in April. She had been vice GM of sales since 2020, after joining the family firm two years earlier as head of marketing.

One of Wahaha's shareholders is an investment company under the local government of Hangzhou's Shangcheng district. When Yicai asked it about the reasons for Zong’s resignation, a spokesperson said: “You should ask Wahaha about that.” Wahaha has not yet responded.

The beverage maker has three shareholders, according to corporate registration information. Hangzhou-based state-owned capital is the biggest with a 46 percent stake, followed by Zong Qinghou with 29.4 percent, and an employee committee with 24.6 percent. Zong Fuli has no direct ownership.

Editors: Zhang Yushuo, Emmi Laine