From a life of hard labor in the Gobi Desert to becoming a prominent Hong Kong investor, Weijian Shan's story is one of incredible contrasts. 

In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg's Mishal Husain, the Chinese economist and author opens up about his childhood during the Cultural Revolution, his thoughts on Hong Kong’s National Security law and President Trump’s trade war with China.

From a life of hard labor in the Gobi Desert to becoming a prominent Hong Kong investor, Weijian Shan's story is one of incredible contrasts.&nbsp;
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg's Mishal Husain, the Chinese economist and author opens up about his childhood during the Cultural Revolution, his thoughts on Hong Kong&rsquo;s National Security law and President Trump&rsquo;s trade war with China.

We’re taking The Big Take to Asia. Each week, Bloomberg’s Oanh Ha tells a story from the home of the world's most dynamic economies - and the markets, tycoons and businesses that drive the ever-shifting region.

We’re taking The Big Take to Asia. Each week, Bloomberg’s Oanh Ha tells a story from the home of the world's most dynamic economies - and the markets, tycoons and businesses that drive the ever-shifting region.

Big Take Asia

From the Gobi Desert to Wall Street: a Conversation With Weijian Shan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/308e7fa5-84a1-4ea2-aea9-b34101164a2d/transcript

Japan is home to the world’s oldest population and a growing share of the country’s financial assets – about $2 trillion – are controlled by seniors who are showing signs of cognitive decline.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg’s Alice French about the staggering “dementia money” at risk, the toll of frozen accounts and the haphazard solutions that serve as a stark warning to the rest of the world. 

Read more: Japan's 'Dementia Money' Problem Puts Trillions at Risk - Bloomberg

Further listening: 
The Rise of Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ and Its Political Shift to the Right

Hosted byProduced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Alice French, Kentaro Tsutsumi; Edited by Patrich Hirsch, Emma O’Brien; Fact-checking by Yang Yang, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

Japan is home to the world&rsquo;s oldest population and a growing share of the country&rsquo;s financial assets &ndash; about $2 trillion &ndash; are controlled by seniors who are showing signs of cognitive decline.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha talks with Bloomberg&rsquo;s Alice French about the staggering &ldquo;dementia money&rdquo; at risk, the toll of frozen accounts and the haphazard solutions that serve as a stark warning to the rest of the world.&nbsp;
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-01-02/japan-s-dementia-money-problem-puts-trillions-at-risk">Japan's 'Dementia Money' Problem Puts Trillions at Risk - Bloomberg</a>
Further listening: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rise-of-japans-iron-lady-and-its-political/id1746141911?i=1000730668887&amp;l=es-MX">The Rise of Japan&rsquo;s &lsquo;Iron Lady&rsquo; and Its Political Shift to the Right</a>
Hosted by Produced by Naomi Ng, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Reported by Alice French, Kentaro Tsutsumi; Edited by Patrich Hirsch, Emma O&rsquo;Brien; Fact-checking by Yang Yang, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Engineering by Taka Yasuzawa Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

Japan’s $2 Trillion ‘Dementia Money’ Cliff

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/594a8bb2-ef1f-4f1f-bdc6-b3d8014f3cb0/transcript

Amid Iran’s brutal crackdown on protesters, President Trump threatened to slap a 25% tariff on its trading partners, including China and India. This comes as both countries try to deescalate their own trade wars with the administration.

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg’s Daniel Ten Kate about why the path to punishing Iran’s government runs through Asia – China and India in particular. 

Read more: Trump Risks Imploding China Trade Truce With Iran Tariff Vow

Amid Iran&rsquo;s brutal crackdown on protesters, President Trump threatened to slap a 25% tariff on its trading partners, including China and India. This comes as both countries try to deescalate their own trade wars with the administration.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia Podcast, host K. Oanh Ha speaks to Bloomberg&rsquo;s Daniel Ten Kate about why the path to punishing Iran&rsquo;s government runs through Asia &ndash; China and India in particular.&nbsp;
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-13/trump-risks-upending-us-china-trade-truce-with-iran-tariff-vow">Trump Risks Imploding China Trade Truce With Iran Tariff Vow</a>

Punishing Iran Could Alienate China and India — Again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/250bdb47-24f3-46b1-8b3b-b3d101579ece/transcript

Since the start of his second term, President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs – especially on China, where most toys are made. 

On today’s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha talks with Rick Woldenberg, CEO of four‑generation toymaker Learning Resources, about his company’s battle against tariffs in stores and in court – and what it reveals about the true cost of America’s trade war.



Read more: Cutting Ties With China Is Harder Than Companies Expected 

Further listening: 

An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With China
India Wanted to Become The World’s Toymaker. Then Tariffs Happened

Since the start of his second term, President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs &ndash; especially on China, where most toys are made.&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia Podcast, host Oanh Ha talks with Rick Woldenberg, CEO of four‑generation toymaker Learning Resources, about his company&rsquo;s battle against tariffs in stores and in court &ndash; and what it reveals about the true cost of America&rsquo;s trade war. 
Read more: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-11-18/learning-resources-move-to-vietnam-shows-china-s-dominance?srnd=undefined">Cutting Ties With China Is Harder Than Companies Expected</a>&nbsp;
Further listening:&nbsp;
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/an-american-toymaker-struggles-to-break-up-with-china/id1746141911?i=1000733927616">An American Toymaker Struggles to Break Up With China </a><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/india-wanted-to-become-the-worlds-toymaker-then/id1746141911?i=1000740482985">India Wanted to Become The World&rsquo;s Toymaker. Then Tariffs Happened </a>

Toymaker Battles Trump’s Tariffs in Stores and in Court

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3984d9ce-845e-4387-b385-b3bd00ff4b84/transcript

From the Gobi Desert to Wall Street: a Conversation With Weijian Shan

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