Cheetah Mobile chairman Fu Sheng publicly lashes out at Qihoo 360 founder Zhou Hongyi, accusing him of owing 100 million yuan

What happened

It has been reported that late on March 20, Fu Sheng (傅盛), chairman of Cheetah Mobile (猎豹移动), publicly attacked Zhou Hongyi (周鸿祎), founder of Qihoo 360 (奇虎 360), in several group chats, accusing Zhou of owing him 100 million yuan and of deleting him from contacts. According to a report in iThome, Fu reportedly wrote in the groups that Zhou “owes me money, refuses to pay, and even deleted me,” and made further allegations about a promised repayment tied to a Hong Kong lawsuit and a later A‑share listing.

Details and immediate fallout

The messages, which iThome excerpts, reportedly include Fu saying someone “had a change of heart” and agreed to return at least 100 million yuan to Zhou to stop a Hong Kong case, but that Zhou subsequently did not follow up after pursuing an A‑share listing. The exchanges revive decades‑long personal and legal rancor between the two men. It has been reported that the posts came late at night and were circulated across multiple WeChat groups, drawing renewed attention from industry watchers and media.

Backstory

Fu joined the company Zhou co‑founded in 2005 and rose to lead the 360 Safe project, before leaving Qihoo in 2008 amid ideological differences. The split led to years of lawsuits and public name‑calling; Qihoo once labeled Fu a “traitor.” The two publicly reconciled early in 2024 when they appeared together to signal a truce — a rapprochement that now appears to have frayed. The history underscores how personal networks and grudges can intersect with China's fast‑moving tech scene.

Why this matters

Why should Western readers care? High‑profile disputes among China’s tech executives can ripple through investor sentiment, corporate alliances and cross‑border listings — especially when A‑share and Hong Kong litigation are mentioned. While the claims in Fu’s messages remain unverified, they highlight ongoing governance and reputation risks in China’s internet sector, which is already navigating tighter domestic regulation and increasing geopolitical scrutiny. Reportedly, this episode may reopen old wounds and raise fresh questions about the stability of partnerships among China’s tech elite.