Desmond Shum, Chinese property tycoon and multi-millionaire, shares his extraordinary account of business life in China, including the abduction of his ex-wife by the Chinese state. He discusses the rotten state of the current Chinese economy and the role of political approvals and corruption in business growth. The podcast also explores corruption, privileged lifestyles of senior party officials, and the impact of publishing his book 'Red Roulette' on China.
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Quick takeaways
Connections with party officials are crucial for success in the Chinese business environment.
Desmond Shum believes that fundamental changes, including empowering the middle class and private entrepreneurs, are needed to revive China's economy.
Deep dives
Desmond Schum's Rise in China
Desmond Schum, a Chinese multimillionaire, shares his remarkable story of success in China's modern economy. With political connections and the country's rapid growth, Schum achieved great financial success in various ventures, including insurance and real estate.
Corruption and Political Power
Schum discusses the influence of political power in the Chinese business environment. He explains that connections to party officials are essential for success, whether through financial transactions or favor exchanges. The entire system in China is built on these connections, which can involve securing jobs, promotions, or educational opportunities for family members.
Whitney's Disappearance and China's Economic Challenges
Schum's ex-wife, Whitney, mysteriously disappears in 2017, allegedly due to her relationships with other party officials. This experience leads Schum to publish a book exposing corruption and injustice in China's government and business sectors. He believes China's economic model, relying on domestic investment and export, has reached its limits, and fundamental changes are necessary to revive the economy, including empowering the middle class and private entrepreneurs. However, Schum criticizes Xi Jinping's leadership for stifling business competence and impeding necessary reforms.
We meet the Chinese property tycoon and multi-millionaire who, along with his then-wife, once moved in the highest echelons of power in Beijing.
But the couple fell foul of the Chinese government during Xi Jinping’s inexorable rise to power and in 2017 Desmond’s ex-wife was abducted – he says by the Chinese state.
She vanished for two years and even now is restricted in her movements, although she’s never been charged with any crime.
Mr Shum now lives in the UK, from where he gave us his extraordinary account of business life at the highest level in China. And he tells us why he thinks the current Chinese economy is rotten to the core.
Presenter: Ed Butler
(Image: Desmond Shum. Credit: Desmond Shum)
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