Big Take Asia From the Gobi Desert to Wall Street: a Conversation With Weijian Shan
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Aug 22, 2025 
In a compelling conversation, Mishal Husain speaks with Weijian Shan, a Chinese economist and co-founder of a major private equity firm in Asia. Weijian shares his remarkable journey from the Gobi Desert during the Cultural Revolution to Wall Street. He reflects on the implications of Hong Kong’s National Security law, the impact of President Trump’s trade war on China, and the importance of education versus the struggles his childhood friends continue to face. His insights offer a unique perspective on resilience and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
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Rising China Changed US Policy
- China benefited from US help while it was far behind and unthreatening.
- As China closed the gap, US policy shifted toward containment driven by perceived threat.
Containment Depends On China's Choices
- Shan argued the US cannot easily contain China's rise except via China's own policy mistakes.
- He urged China to rebalance from export-led growth toward private consumption.
Childhood During The Great Leap Forward
- Shan recalls his parents were clerks and the family suffered severe food shortages during the Great Leap Forward.
- He describes his mother as seriously malnourished and the nationwide famine's deadly toll.
