Tang Zijia: The Fixed and the Mutable

　　As the eldest son of the famous Tomson Group, Tang Zijia naturally attracts attention in whatever he does. In January 2018, we visited Tomson One, overlooking the Huangpu River in Shanghai, and met him as a second-generation entrepreneur.
　　Steady and focused on building high-quality properties that last for generations, Tomson's commitment has never changed over the years. But in Tang Zijia, we also see the changes typical of second-generation entrepreneurs: from electric vehicles to education and art investment, times are changing, consumption is changing, and he adapts accordingly.

　　Years of journey, family business pursuing steady inheritance.

　　"Family business inheritance carries a great responsibility. What we inherit is not only the family business but also the spirit of the enterprise. Early rules and methods may have limited terms. But times are changing, and in recent years I have especially felt this change: the conservative and stable business models and ideas from 100 years ago are completely different from now. The power of mobile internet has transformed life, and China has reached the world's forefront. Therefore, the essence of our family business inheritance—the 'persistence'—will not change, but flexibility in thinking is also very important."
　　Arriving at Tomson One by the Huangpu River in Pudong, Shanghai, when we first met Tang Zijia, he answered the question of inheritance this way. Standing in the property developed early on by his visionary father Tang Chenian, he felt quite emotional. As the son of the 'first developer of Pudong,' in 2004, nearly 24 years old, he faced his father's sudden passing. By 2018, he spoke to us candidly, saying, "Perhaps to outsiders, a change in identity seems to happen overnight, but for me, it was a 14-year journey."
　　"The steadfast love and confidence my father had for the city, as well as his long-term planning, that attitude, foresight, and focus on work are the greater wealth I have inherited. An important 'persistence' of Tomson is to build a century-old enterprise. No matter how big the current achievements are, if they cannot be sustained, it is not success. Our goal is to build a lasting foundation."
　　Tang Zijia said Tomson's roots are in Shanghai, and he himself is a typical Shanghainese. His grandfather built a good business in Shanghai, and his father was also born there, starting from scratch. "The family has experienced many ups and downs over the years. During investment in China, we also faced challenges, such as the 1997 financial crisis. Ultimately, in the years before my father's passing, he set strict business principles for us: we don't aim to be the fastest or the biggest, but to be strong and lasting."
　　Since taking over Tomson, as Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Tomson Group, Tang Zijia has been asked by shareholders why they are not aggressive enough. Companies with disproportionate scale compared to theirs have now reached certain levels... "But conversely, Tomson's risk resistance is stronger. Times are changing, and we will change our management methods and development concepts, but our 'persistence' will not change."
　　Interestingly, as a child, Tang Zijia studied in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States, only returning to China in 2001. Compared to some domestic 'second-generation' entrepreneurs, he did not witness the gradual changes in the domestic environment from childhood. "The rapid development over the past decade, and the government's decisiveness, have given me great inspiration. The city's construction has progressed so much, urging me to keep pace with the times."
　　Shanghai will always be Tomson's stronghold. Since its establishment, Tomson has adhered to both leasing and sales, holding a large number of commercial and residential buildings in Pudong, Shanghai, continuously managing and maintaining its property projects.
　　Steadiness is not only a business philosophy but also a social responsibility. Tang Zijia said he is very optimistic about Shanghai's future real estate market development. Shanghai's position as China's economic and financial center will not waver. With the '2040' goal ahead, Shanghai's development is just beginning.
　　 "As a real estate company, ultimately, we must build high-quality homes suitable for living. Real estate is also a socially responsible industry. Regardless of price fluctuations, the essence is to create spaces suitable for people to live in, even to be passed down for generations. Tomson's philosophy is that quality always comes first. In fact, what Tomson is doing now is maintaining steady growth while pursuing innovation and change. Also, based on real estate, we participate in more diversified investments."

　　Diversified investment, I focus more on spiritual consumption.

　　Tang Zijia gave us an example: recently, there was a post online about a French guy who lived in China for several years and then returned home, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable because life in China is so rich and convenient! "There have been great changes in society these years, such as the changes brought by mobile internet, which have also given me many intellectual shocks."
　　Therefore, besides the company's real estate investments, Tang Zijia personally has made many diversified investments in other industries in recent years. His mother, Xu Feng, recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award at Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards, and the family has a tradition of investing in film and culture. Tang Zijia said his mother is currently preparing a script, hoping to produce a great film following 'Farewell My Concubine.'
　　"Investment is now what I spend more time on every day. After my father's passing, Tomson and our family endured the toughest period. Now the company's daily management is very scientific. Managing Tomson may not take up most of my time, so I think about what else I want to do."
　　Currently, Tang Zijia's investment layout includes electric vehicles, education, art consumption, and finance. He also invested in founding Artcare and is actively seeking to enter the e-sports field.
　　In 2017, the iconic electric vehicle invested by Tang Zijia caused quite a stir in the circle. "I got involved at a very good time. In many foreign countries, electric vehicles have developed rapidly, fully replacing traditional vehicles within a few years. China also has this trend; this is a new blue ocean."
　　He said, "Combining new content with traditional real estate across industries is the trend. Diversified investment layouts are also an active response to the current market, technology, finance, and customer 'changes.'"
　　In the education field, Tang Zijia recently invested in the Qingpu branch of Pinghe Bilingual School. "This will be an industry I focus on in the coming years. Education has prospects, and investing in education is also doing public welfare for society. In the next five years, we may reach 20 schools."
　　In life, many people know Tang Zijia as someone who loves contemporary art, enjoys golf, and tastes red wine. But for him, some hobbies have not turned into channels solely for making money. Although he founded ARTCARE, an art service company, the original intention was just to provide insurance, transportation, storage, and other services for collectors with similar interests. In the past six months, ARTCARE has made strategic adjustments to integrate more cultural elements into the city. "Young people nowadays pursue more spiritual consumption, so we will do more interesting exhibitions and integrate art more into society."
　　I’ve personally collected numerous works by contemporary artists and have even become friends with many of them—naturally, this has subtly influenced Tang Zijia as well. For instance, he often infuses his artistic imagination into the residential spaces at Tangcheng. At Tangcheng Yipin, the very spot where we filmed him happens to be a gallery. Beyond that, Tang Zijia regularly showcases the paintings from his personal collection within the community, frequently rearranging the exhibits to keep things fresh and engaging. "Tangcheng is far more than just a real estate company," he explains. "We don’t simply build and sell homes and then walk away. Instead, we’re deeply committed to enhancing our clients’ comfort—and, equally important, their sense of joy and fulfillment."
　　“Staying true to my principles while embracing innovation—that’s how I see myself, and it also guides the strategic direction of the company. I aim to continually maintain a sharp sense of market trends, opening up even greater opportunities for Tomson’s growth.”
　　The sunset gradually faded on one side of the Huangpu River, and Tang Zijia politely bid us farewell.
　　He finally chatted casually, "Whether it's art, fine wine, or playing golf, in my view, all of them require a hands-on approach that demands patience, dedication, and refined taste. Personally, they’ve subtly shaped the way I see the world and interact with people."
　　This second-generation entrepreneur approaches everything with a relaxed and confident demeanor: "I enjoy savoring things at my own pace. At the end of the day, whether it’s my career or my personal life, it all comes down to passion."

Tang Zijia: Artworks should feel as comforting as a home does.

Tang Zijia: Grounded in China, Gazing Toward the Future

Tang Zijia: Artworks should feel as comforting as a home does.

Tang Zijia: Grounded in China, Gazing Toward the Future

Boldly stepping forward as a trailblazer for the new journey of reform and opening-up, Pudong has become a global arena where top talents from around the world compete.

On April 18, 2019, Pudong celebrated the 29th anniversary of its development and opening-up. On April 18, 1990, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council made the historic decision to develop and open up Pudong. This groundbreaking move thrust Pudong—then still an unmarked spot on the map—into the national spotlight, fundamentally altering its destiny. "Seize the opportunity to develop Pudong without wavering, and continue until it’s fully built." Born out of reform and opening-up, Pudong has thrived precisely because of these transformative policies. Today, Pudong is evolving from a pioneering window of China’s reform and opening-up into a vibrant experimental ground for comprehensively deepening reforms. Many innovative measures first tested here have since been replicated and rolled out across the country. Situated along the shores of the East China Sea, this dynamic hub of reform is now unfurling powerful sails that propel the broader wave of change forward with unwavering momentum. Today, Pudong, despite occupying just one-fifth of Shanghai’s land area and housing one-quarter of its population, contributes nearly one-third of the city’s total economic output. It accounts for 40% of Shanghai’s strategic emerging industries, 50% of the added value in the financial sector, and 60% of the city’s total foreign trade volume. Over the past 29 years of development and opening-up, Pudong’s GDP has surged from 6 billion yuan in 1990 to 1 trillion yuan in 2018—a growth exceeding 100 times! "Moving from the 100-billion-yuan mark to the 1-trillion-yuan milestone represents a monumental leap, both boosting confidence in Pudong’s economic growth and setting a bold new goal for the region," remarked Shen Kaiyan, Director of the Institute of Economics at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, reflecting on this pivotal moment. Pudong has firmly established itself as Shanghai’s engine of economic growth and a microcosm of the city’s modernization efforts—and indeed, as a symbol of China’s relentless drive toward reform and opening-up on the global stage. If you’re not relying on family connections, Pudong is undoubtedly the best choice. "Don’t rely on your parents—come to Pudong instead." This memorable line, originally delivered by Shen Xiaoming, then Secretary of the CPC Pudong New Area Committee, during a campus recruitment event at Tsinghua University, quickly became iconic. His exact words were, "If you’re not part of the 'daddy's boy' crowd, choosing Pudong, Shanghai, is the smartest decision you can make." For those who’ve never visited Shanghai, their impression of Pudong might still be limited to its world-renowned landmarks—such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Tower, and the Shanghai World Financial Center—structures that have become synonymous with Shanghai’s iconic skyline. Yet while these towering skyscrapers undeniably showcase Pudong’s impressive "hard power," it’s the region’s transparent business environment, equitable employment opportunities, and thriving cultural scene that truly define its "soft power"—qualities that have enabled Pudong to consistently deliver extraordinary achievements time and again. According to a survey conducted by Deloitte, Pudong New Area boasts the highest success rate for foreign investment projects in China. Not only are multinational corporations eager to establish themselves here due to Pudong’s robust infrastructure and favorable business climate, but an increasing number of ambitious entrepreneurs and innovators are also choosing Pudong as their preferred destination for turning their dreams into reality. In fact, in response to rising challenges posed by high living and business costs, Pudong is actively adapting by becoming more "flexible" and addressing the shortcomings created by its unique environment. When residents complain about the scarcity of housing, Pudong swiftly responds by building Lujiazui Financial City Talent Apartments, offering turnkey solutions ready for immediate occupancy. If entrepreneurs lament the lack of startup capital, Pudong goes above and beyond to lower barriers and reduce costs associated with innovation and entrepreneurship. And when cultural enthusiasts express a hunger for enriching experiences, Pudong brings high-quality cultural events directly to their doorsteps, using its "cultural magnetism" to awaken dormant potential. Indeed, Pudong’s "soft power" continues to strengthen its appeal, making the region even more attractive to talent and businesses alike, while significantly enhancing its global competitiveness. Pudong seamlessly bridges its visionary "high-level" approach to development with a down-to-earth, "low-profile" commitment to serving businesses and residents, embodying the spirit of being a dedicated "shop assistant" who tirelessly works to enhance the sense of fulfillment and satisfaction among all stakeholders. Businesses flock to Pudong, driven by boundless opportunities and an unparalleled spirit of innovation, where they pursue, build, and ultimately realize their dreams. Back in 1992, Pudong was brimming with untapped potential and entrepreneurial energy, acting like a powerful magnet drawing companies from home and abroad. That same year, April marked the arrival of a remarkable figure: Tang Junnian, a Taiwanese businessman widely regarded as the "first pioneer of Pudong’s development." Tang had flown from Hong Kong to Beijing to visit his wife, Xu Feng, who was filming "Farewell My Concubine." During dinner, someone casually mentioned that Tang’s ancestral hometown was Pudong’s Nanhui district in Shanghai—and instantly sparked his interest. "As soon as he heard that, he immediately booked a flight to Pudong," recalled Xu Feng. "He felt an overwhelming sense of excitement, almost like he couldn’t wait any longer. Once he landed in Shanghai, he stayed for over a month!" At the time, many Shanghainese famously quipped, "I’d rather have a bed in Puxi than a room in Pudong." Indeed, Pudong was still largely rural back then, characterized by vast farmlands and muddy roads impassable to vehicles. Fast-forward to today, however, and the once-bucolic Lujiazui riverside promenade—now bustling with tourists—is even named "Lan Ni Du Road," or "Muddy Sludge Road," a nod to its humble origins. Yet despite these dramatic transformations, Tang Junnian remained utterly captivated. He promptly approached the local development authority, requesting two prime plots of land—one facing the iconic Bund waterfront, and another designated for a golf course. These two parcels would later give rise to two of Pudong’s most prestigious and controversial developments: the luxurious residential complex Tomson One and the renowned Tomson Golf Course. To the officials overseeing Pudong at the time, Tang’s sudden appearance was nothing short of a delightful surprise. After all, having an internationally-standard golf course nestled amidst Pudong’s sprawling farmland could dramatically elevate the region’s attractiveness to investors, significantly bolstering efforts to draw foreign capital into the area. Without hesitation, Tang Junnian swiftly agreed on the terms of a land auction with the authorities, officially registering "Shanghai Tomson Group Co., Ltd." within half a year. Remarkably, he secured the coveted Tomson Golf Course site along Longdong Avenue through a highly competitive bidding process—paying a staggering $30 million, a price tag more than double what the other competing bidder, a Japanese company, had offered.After 1992, Tang Junnian not only advanced the development of the Tomson Golf Course and golf villas but also began planning Pudong’s first five-star hotel (later known as the Tomson Jinjiang InterContinental Hotel) and its first Class-A office building (Tomson Financial Center). To secure the necessary funding, he even sold the "World Trade Building" in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, raising a substantial $2.2 billion to invest in Pudong’s ambitious development projects. As Tang Junnian continued his rapid expansion, 1992 to 1993 also saw other prominent figures sharing his enthusiasm for the mainland market, including Chen Yongtai, Chairman of the Chinachem Group, and Zhang Minyu, Chairman of Taiwan-based Jiaxin Cement, who hailed from Ningbo. In 1997, when the Asian financial crisis struck, the Tomson Group, buoyed by its unwavering confidence in Pudong’s ongoing development and openness, made the difficult decision to relinquish some of its already secured land-development rights in exchange for immediate cash flow to support its existing projects—such as the Tomson Golf Course and Golf Villas, the Tomson Financial Center, the Tomson Jinjiang InterContinental Hotel, and the Tomson Waigaoqiao project. At the same time, the group managed to retain ownership of the prime plot earmarked for what would later become the renowned luxury residential development: Tomson One. Years have passed, and as Pudong’s development and opening-up efforts gain momentum, foreign capital continues to pour in on a massive scale. As one of the earliest waves of investors to enter Pudong, Taiwanese businesses remain deeply committed to the region. Today, they bring not only capital and management expertise but, more importantly, cutting-edge technology that sets new standards for innovation and efficiency. **"The Future Is Here"** Pudong Embodies "China's Confidence" As Deng Xiaoping, the visionary architect of China’s reform and opening-up policy, once remarked: "Shenzhen faces Hong Kong, Zhuhai faces Macau, and Xiamen faces Taiwan. But Pudong is different—it looks out onto the Pacific Ocean, toward Europe and America, and ultimately, the entire world." Throughout its development and opening-up journey, Pudong has attracted significant foreign investment, reshaping Shanghai’s industrial landscape and enhancing the city’s overall functionality. Intensive infrastructure projects have created a robust network of connections, linking Pudong to surrounding regions and fostering global integration, thereby propelling Shanghai’s transformation from a traditional industrial hub into a leading economic center. Today, Pudong proudly ranks among the world’s top-tier business districts, with 310 Fortune Global 500 companies having established operations there. The region has accumulated a total of $78.99 billion in actual foreign investment. By the end of 2018, Pudong had attracted over 600 headquarters of various types, including 304 regional headquarters of multinational corporations—roughly half of Shanghai’s total. Driven by Pudong’s dynamic development, Shanghai itself has undergone remarkable transformations: "one change per year, a major overhaul every three years." This ripple effect has extended beyond Shanghai, inspiring rapid growth across neighboring regions—from Suzhou, Wuxi, and Changzhou in Jiangsu Province to Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou in Zhejiang Province. Moreover, the Yangtze River Delta’s integrated development strategy is now making tangible progress, unlocking long-awaited synergies among these key economic hubs. Looking ahead, Pudong, whose economy has already entered the trillion-yuan club, has shifted its focus away from mere GDP growth metrics. Instead, it champions a new approach centered on productivity per mu, profitability, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The region is actively phasing out outdated industries, addressing safety risks, and tackling financial vulnerabilities—all while striving to eliminate superficial prosperity and prevent inflated asset bubbles. After all, only high-quality GDP can serve as the solid foundation for Pudong’s sustainable future, much like granite underpinning enduring strength. To drive innovation and seize opportunities amid profound industrial shifts, Pudong is placing its bets squarely on emerging sectors such as "China’s Core Technologies," the "Blue Sky Dream," innovative pharmaceuticals, cutting-edge automotive solutions, intelligent manufacturing, and data-driven ecosystems. Meanwhile, the region is meticulously optimizing land use in its major industrial parks, treating each acre of land with the same care and precision as an artisan craftsman perfecting a delicate piece of embroidery. By enhancing resource allocation efficiency, Pudong is also vigorously developing vibrant factor markets and fostering a thriving headquarters economy, positioning itself to assert greater influence over global pricing dynamics. In Pudong, the sense of "the future is already here" is palpable at every turn. For instance, driverless vehicles have begun patrolling streets on Zhangjiang AI Island; at the unmanned terminal in Yangshan Port, fully automated machinery operates entirely under computer control; and in Lingang’s "dark factory," intelligent robots handle every step of the production line flawlessly. **Driving Urban Renewal** Crafting a New Legend for the New Era While earlier generations of entrepreneurs wrote unforgettable chapters in Pudong’s history—with each landmark building holding its own unique narrative—the question remains: What does the future hold for this iconic district? Ultimately, development must serve the people, and the ultimate goal of high-quality growth is to deliver a better quality of life for everyone. In Pudong’s early days, public services—including education, healthcare, and elderly care—were glaringly inadequate, presenting a clear challenge that demanded urgent attention. That’s why addressing these critical gaps became a top priority: ensuring schools are built to meet community needs, alleviating parents’ anxieties about their children’s education; bringing high-quality medical resources closer to residents, so they no longer need to travel far for essential care; establishing state-owned institutions to provide affordable, reliable eldercare options for seniors; and creating "15-minute service circles" to make daily tasks easier and reduce residents’ reliance on long commutes. Facing new realities and challenges, Pudong, now entering its third decade of development, has embraced a renewed mission: to lead the way in tackling society’s most pressing issues, spearhead initiatives that align seamlessly with Shanghai’s four strategic pillars, achieve breakthroughs in the construction of the free trade zone, and deliver impactful results in advancing Shanghai’s status as a global science and technology powerhouse. By prioritizing high-quality growth, Pudong aims to build lasting strategic advantages, enhance its ability to manage global resources effectively, cultivate world-class industrial clusters, and unlock fresh momentum for sustained economic development. Standing at the dawn of a new era, Pudong is boldly embarking on a "new journey of reform and opening-up," ready to pioneer bold reforms, break through longstanding barriers, and chart uncharted paths forward. Indeed, a new chapter of extraordinary achievements is being written right before our eyes.

Exclusive Interview | Tang Zijia: Being an Innovative "Second-Generation" Leader

Recently, GQ magazine published an exclusive interview with Tang Zijia, Vice Chairman of Tomson Group and founding shareholder of BU Group, focusing on the themes of legacy and innovation. The WeChat official account "Jielimag" (jielimag) has reposted excerpts from BUstyle below, with some content edited for brevity.

Tang Zijia: Artworks should feel as comforting as a home does.

At the most iconic real estate project of the汤臣 Group—Tangchen Yipin—Tang Zijia has created a private residence for himself. This mansion seamlessly blends the exquisite design of Japanese architect Tomoaki Watanabe with his extensive, years-long art collection, turning it into a veritable private museum.

Moving forward with China, wishing for a bright future

Tomson (China) Co., Ltd

23rd Floor, Tomson Financial Tower, 710 Dongfang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China
Postal code: 200122
Phone: 86-21-50584936
Fax: 86-21-50583646

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