Ding Shiyuan strikes a pose in his office. (Photo: GlobalTimes.cn) Photo Gallery>>>

    Ding, a post-1990s CEO

    "How are you? How old are you?" are the standard greetings when people see him. Ding Shiyuan, or Denny, a 19-year-old student from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, is the only young tycoon of the post-1990s generation on the list.

    Denny has left his peers far behind and is now a man of multiple titles. He is a freshman at Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology. But he is also the boss of Dingding Cultural Development Company, which he established when he was 17.

    "When I was told that I was on the list, frankly, I was excited yet worried. I don't think it's appropriate to make a list to compare our wealth. It may pose a threat to our security," Denny told the Global Times.

    At the age of 14, when one is supposed to be enjoying childhood, Denny plowed himself into the adult world. He spent his summer vacations attending evening classes in psychology, marketing, journalism and design studies. Then he became the youngest reporter of China Fashion Weekly, which is where his connections ballooned.

    "I had no childhood. I didn't watch cartoons and I didn't play online games. They're a waste of time," he said.

    And now he is not a broke student anymore. He is a fabulously wealthy businessman who earns one million yuan (146,340 U.S. dollars) a year.

    And projects from all over China are flying into his office. His hands are full with work, with no time left for school, he said.

    "A certificate is not that important for me anymore. It's just a piece of paper that shows your capability."

    (Source: GlobalTimes.cn)