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SCOTT JAGOW: Who thought we’d be saying this: The wealthiest self-made woman in the world is from China. A list of the richest Chinese just came out and 49-year-old Zhang Yin is at the top. She’s worth $3.4 billion and as Jocelyn Ford reports, her story is literally rags to riches.

JOCELYN FORD: Zhang Yin made her fortune by importing scrap paper in the United States, and shipping it back in what would’ve been empty containers.

The paper is then recycled into packaging material.

Rupert Hoogewerf produces rich list.

RUPERT HOOGEWERF: “Well, she’s a lot richer than Oprah, I mean she’s two or three times the size of Oprah. Or even J.K. Rowling of the Harry Potter fame.”

Hoogewerf says this year there are 15 billionaires on his list, more than double the number of last year. Five of the top 10 made their money in real estate or construction.

RUPERT:“China today is a little bit like the robber baron period in the U.S. in the 19th century.”

He says the economy is wide open. And entrepreneurs who are cunning, quick, and ruthless, can make a fortune.

In Beijing, I’m Jocelyn Ford for Marketplace.