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

2018-12-17

　　Recently, GQ magazine published an exclusive interview with Tang Zijia, Vice Chairman of the Tomson Group and founding shareholder of BU Group, discussing inheritance and innovation. The "Relay" WeChat public account (jielimag) reprinted BUstyle as follows, with some omissions.
　　The "second generation" managing family businesses generally falls into two categories: one is to conservatively continue the family practices, and the other is to completely overturn the parents' business model and boldly innovate. In Tang Zijia's view, a smarter approach is "partial innovation," always paying attention to changes in the times and internalizing them into corporate strategy.
　　Nearly 10 years ago, this mature and steady new-generation private entrepreneur was just a novice apprentice following behind his father Tang Junnian. Due to his father's passing, he was forced to shoulder the burden of the business and became the backbone of the legendary Shanghai real estate company Tomson Group. Under Tang Zijia's leadership, Tomson became a younger and more open company, expanding its business to places like Tianjin. Besides steadily developing its main real estate business, Tang Zijia also began managing professional investments outside real estate, venturing into e-sports, entertainment, new energy vehicles, and art investment.
　　Tang Zijia admits that behind his youthful achievements, there is an unseen side: he considers the lack of time spent with his father during the family inheritance process a great regret. "Besides pursuing ideals, I actually yearn more for family memories and warmth," Tang Zijia said somewhat sentimentally.
　　Although young, Tang Zijia's thinking is clearly more visionary. He has recently been considering that in new real estate projects, drones might be used to deliver express packages and food, which could reduce the energy consumption of buildings by half compared to traditional methods. He also believes that people's lives nowadays focus more on spiritual consumption. "I think in China's major core cities, people's lifestyle changes are different from the previous generation, and many people pursue spiritual consumption more," Tang Zijia said.
　　As a young entrepreneur, Tang Zijia's advantages are quite obvious: he freely switches between Eastern and Western perspectives. One can see the imprint left by his life in Los Angeles as well as the steady and reserved temperament shaped by many years rooted in Shanghai.
　　He still remembers that when he graduated from university, his mother Xu Feng gave him a Vacheron Constantin watch. "I still keep this watch now; it means a lot to me. It feels like a rite of passage and also a legacy of mission."
　　Looking to the future, Tang Zijia hopes to maintain a state of steady progress while keeping pace with the times. "Focus on doing your own things well, learn the essence from the excellent experience of predecessors, integrate it with your own thinking, improve quality, and make it solid. This is the most worthwhile challenge and will produce good results," Tang Zijia added.

Previous interview of "Relay": "Tang Zijia: Always on the Road"

　　After nine years of succession, Tang Zijia has faced many tests. In front of wealth, he sees more responsibility than ordinary people. Carrying the mission to make Tomson's business bigger and stronger, Tang Zijia has always been on the road.
　　When Tang Zijia first joined the group, many of the things he did were to gain his father's approval, but his eagerness to do well led him to make many mistakes. As a result, the young man was often scolded by his father, which also made him start to stand by his father and observe how to manage the company.
　　Looking back, Tang Zijia admits this was learned experience that no one else could take away. Of course, his father also recognized him at times. For example, the Zhangjiang Tomson Haoyuan project mainly targeted white-collar workers in the Zhangjiang area of Pudong. After seeing the company's designed floor plans, Tang Zijia thought the units were too large because most of the target customers were single. So, he suggested to his father to reduce the unit sizes and increase small units. This proposal was supported by his father. Later, Tang Zijia gradually understood: "A first-generation entrepreneur rarely praises the second generation, even if they agree in their heart, they won't say it out loud."
　　However, with Tang Junnian's sudden passing in 2004, Tang Zijia's role changed overnight. After the grief, he began to demand more from himself, controlling the risk of every decision within bearable limits to avoid fatal damage to the company. In 2005, Tomson Yipin was launched but faced social controversy due to its high price. In 2009, after taking over, Tang Zijia re-planned the market sales strategy: first, he abandoned the shackles of "most expensive, first" and adjusted the total and unit prices, waived the capital verification process, allowed customers to view houses by appointment in advance, and actively maintained external communication. These measures significantly increased the sales volume of the buildings.
　　Regarding the Tianjin Tomson Jinwan Yipin project, Tang Zijia invested a lot of effort and praised the chosen location: "Our land is in the former British, French, and Japanese concessions and was the only old foreign-style house demolished before. So among these protected buildings around, no other land of such a large area can be demolished. This is an irreplaceable valuable asset."
　　After rounds of market battles, Tang Zijia's ability to manage the market and run the company has been recognized. Under the media spotlight, the halo above his head is even brighter than before. In the eyes of colleagues, Behind the glory is Tang Zijia's day-to-day hard work He not only personally handles official business but also listens willingly to opinions from all sides, while reading a large amount of newspapers and websites daily to stay informed and obtain industry information.
　　In Tang Zijia's view, he should demand himself with the qualities of a professional manager. His management goal is to let the company operate naturally, and he is just a part of the company. The first-generation leader of a family business leads the company forward, while the second generation needs to think about their role and positioning in the company. Now, Tang Zijia thinks more about the company's strategic decisions. He believes that to be an entrepreneur, you must move forward on a new journey while the world is still criticizing you, leading the masses to see landscapes they never imagined.
　　Looking back on nine years of succession, Tang Zijia no longer feels the initial hesitation: "Nine years ago, my father left without warning, leaving me at the crossroads of fate, bearing the destiny of more than one person. In these nine years, I have never stopped. I have taken a path my father never walked. Just as he was confident when he saw today's Pudong, now in my mind, I see the China of tomorrow."

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.

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

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.

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

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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