(Yicai Global) Nov. 27 -- Yang Huiyan, co-chair of Chinese real estate firm Country Garden, has topped the list of China's richest women entrepreneurs for the fourth straight year.

Yang's fortune grew by 29 percent to CNY225 billion (USD34.2 billion) from a year ago, the Hurun Research Institute said in its latest report of China's 50 wealthiest female entrepreneurs. The ranking proves how Covid-19 has failed to erode the wealthiest people's net worth.

Zhong Huijuan, founder of Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group, came in second with her CNY135 billion after the Chinese drugmaker went public in June 2019. Zhou Qunfei, chief of Apple's glass supplier Lens Technology, was third with CNY110 billion, more than tripling from a year earlier.

For the first time, advanced manufacturing surpassed real estate to become the most lucrative sector. The total wealth of the group of 50 grew by 43 percent to CNY1.9 trillion (USD288.8 billion) from a year earlier. The list had 15 newcomers, including Lucy Peng, the chief of Alibaba Group Holding's Southeast Asian platform Lazada.

Editor: Emmi Laine