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

By any account, Chen Zhi's ascent was meteoric. At a young age he founded a real estate company in Cambodia, which quickly became the sprawling Prince Group conglomerate. But beneath this legitimate facade, Chen allegedly ran a vast criminal network, building an empire on scams, human trafficking and high-level political protection.

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, K. Host Oanh Ha and Bloomberg’s David Ramli look into the rapid rise and sudden downfall of an alleged criminal mastermind.

This episode was produced by: Yang Yang; Editors: Patrick Hirsch, Serena Ng, Matthew Thomas; Reporting by: David Ramli; Additional Reporting: Low De Wei; Sound Design/Engineer: Taka Yasuzawa; Fact-checker: Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

By any account, Chen Zhi's ascent was meteoric. At a young age he founded a real estate company in Cambodia, which quickly became the sprawling Prince Group conglomerate. But beneath this legitimate facade, Chen allegedly ran a vast criminal network, building an empire on scams, human trafficking and high-level political protection.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia podcast, K. Host Oanh Ha and Bloomberg&rsquo;s David Ramli look into the rapid rise and sudden downfall of an alleged criminal mastermind.
This episode was produced by: Yang Yang; Editors: Patrick Hirsch, Serena Ng, Matthew Thomas; Reporting by: David Ramli; Additional Reporting: Low De Wei; Sound Design/Engineer: Taka Yasuzawa; Fact-checker: Eleanor Harrison-Dengate; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

The Rise and Fall of an Alleged Scam Boss

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/43ab3f4f-26aa-40ea-b875-b409013449ce/transcript

From Brussels to Beijing, the United States’ largest trading partners are digesting the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn President Trump’s signature tariffs — along with his threats to impose new levies by other means. 

On today’s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg’s North Asia economy and government editor Jenni Marsh and Bloomberg’s top trade editor Brendan Murray to discuss how countries across Asia are reacting to Trump’s tariff setback — and how it could boost China’s leverage at the negotiating table ahead of a high-stakes summit next month.

Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng and Julia Press; Reported by Jenni Marsh and Brendan Murray; Edited by Paddy Hirsch;

Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran

Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

From Brussels to Beijing, the United States&rsquo; largest trading partners are digesting the Supreme Court&rsquo;s decision to overturn President Trump&rsquo;s signature tariffs &mdash; along with his threats to impose new levies by other means.&nbsp;
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Asia podcast, host K. Oanh Ha sits down with Bloomberg&rsquo;s North Asia economy and government editor Jenni Marsh and Bloomberg&rsquo;s top trade editor Brendan Murray to discuss how countries across Asia are reacting to Trump&rsquo;s tariff setback &mdash; and how it could boost China&rsquo;s leverage at the negotiating table ahead of a high-stakes summit next month.
Hosted by K. Oanh Ha; Produced by Naomi Ng and Julia Press; Reported by Jenni Marsh and Brendan Murray; Edited by Paddy Hirsch;
Fact-checking by Eleanor Harrison-Dengate and David Fox; Engineering by Katie McMurran
Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver; Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer

Tariff Turmoil Hits China, India Again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f2747258-2481-47f8-a15a-b3fb01464131/transcript

This week, the US and India announced a surprise new trade deal that slashes tariffs on Indian goods. It has one major possible catch: a commitment from India to stop buying cheap Russian oil — which will be easier said than done. 

On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg’s Sudhi Ranjan Sen joins host Oanh Ha to break down the deal and explain what it means for India’s economy and its relationships with the US, Russia and China.

Read more: 

Trump’s Surprise Trade Deal With India Resets Fractured Ties - Bloomberg 

Further listening:

India Wanted to Become The World’s Toymaker. Then Tariffs Happened 

India Won’t Stop Buying Russian Oil. Now It’s Paying the Price.

This week, the US and India announced a surprise new trade deal that slashes tariffs on Indian goods. It has one major possible catch: a commitment from India to stop buying cheap Russian oil &mdash; which will be easier said than done.&nbsp;
On today's Big Take Asia Podcast, Bloomberg&rsquo;s Sudhi Ranjan Sen joins host Oanh Ha to break down the deal and explain what it means for India&rsquo;s economy and its relationships with the US, Russia and China.
Read more:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-03/trump-s-surprise-trade-deal-with-india-resets-fractured-ties">Trump&rsquo;s Surprise Trade Deal With India Resets Fractured Ties - Bloomberg</a>&nbsp;
Further listening:
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ec/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>&nbsp;
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/india-wont-stop-buying-russian-oil-now-its-paying-the-price/id1746141911?i=1000720803869&amp;l=ru">India Won&rsquo;t Stop Buying Russian Oil. Now It&rsquo;s Paying the Price.</a>

Why the US-India Trade Deal Hinges on Russian Oil

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1a198771-0de9-4a95-a16a-b3e801758851/transcript

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

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