`Forbes' lists 16 Taiwanese among region's richest

Sixteen Taiwanese entrepreneurs have been included in this year's list of the 40 richest people in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau compiled by Forbes magazine.

Top of the list is Li Ka-shing (李嘉誠), the Hong Kong real-estate and telecommunications tycoon, with a net worth of US$19.7 billion.

The highest-ranked Taiwanese entrepreneur on the list is Lin Yuan Group (霖園集團) chairman Tsai Hong-tu (蔡宏圖, US$5.9 billion), who took fifth place. Lin is followed by Formosa Plastics Group (台塑集團) chairman Wang Yung-ching (王永慶, US$5.3 billion) at No. 6.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co (鴻海科技) chairman Terry Gou (郭台銘, US$4.4 billion) placed eighth, while Fubon Group (富邦集團) chairman Tsai Wan-tsai (蔡萬才, US$3.1 billion) took the No. 12 spot.

They are followed by Via Technologies Inc (威盛電子) chairwoman Cher Wang (王雪紅) and president Chen Wen-chi (陳文琦, US$2.2 billion) and Shin Kong Financial Holding Co (新光金控) chairman Eugene Wu (吳東進, US$1.9 billion).

Also on the list are Wei Ying-chou (魏應洲, US$1.7 billion), founder of the Master Kong (康師傅) instant noodle brand, Quanta Computer Inc (廣達電腦) chairman Barry Lam (林百里, US$1.5 billion), former Chi Mei Corp (奇美實業) chairman Shi Wen-long (許文龍, US$1.3 billion), Pou Chen Group (寶成集團) CEO Tsai Chi-jui (蔡其瑞, US$1.2 billion) and furniture manufacturers Kuo Shan-hui (郭山輝) and Liu Yi-mei (劉宜美, US$940 million).

Rounding out the list are Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc (日月光企業) chairman Jason Chang (張虔生, US$880 million), Evergreen Group (長榮集團) chairman Chang Jung-fa (張榮發, U$800 million), Want Want Group (旺旺集團) CEO Tsai Yen-jung (蔡衍榮, US$780 million), Wan Hai Lines Ltd (萬海航運) chairman Chen Chao-heng (陳朝亨, US$640 million) and Catcher Technology Co (可成企業) president Allen Horng (洪水樹, US$630 million).