Although suffering a 10 percent decline in net wealth, Wu Yajun with assets of US$6 billion remains China's richest women this year, according to the Hurun Rich List 2012 published last week.

The founder and chairwoman of Longfor Properties is followed by 71-year-old Chen Lihua, chairwoman of Fu Wah International, and Yang Huiyan, vice-chairwoman of Country Garden Holdings.

Owing to disappointing returns in the domestic financial market this year, the average wealth of Chinese billionaires whose assets of a minimum US$285 million decreased to US$856 million in 2012, 5.8 percent lower than last year; but up 38 percent compared to 2010.

Among the 1,000 businessmen on this year's rich list, 469 saw their wealth shrink, and 37 experienced more than a 50 percent decrease in net worth. Entrepreneurs in solar energy, clothing and retail industries experienced the biggest decline in wealth.

The followings are the top 10 richest women in China this year according to the Hurun Rich List:

   Lu Xiaomei & Yang Xuegang (路小梅、楊雪崗夫婦)

 2012 Wealth (US$b): 2.4

2011 Ranking: 14; 2011 Wealth (US$b): 2

Company: Risun Group (旭陽控股)

Industry: Coke chemical, finance

Headquarters: Beijing

Age: 47