Wang Sicong, the son of the richest man in China, did an incredibly frank interview with the BBC for its three-part documentary on Chinese youth.
We caught the interview via Shanghaiist.
He said that for people in his generation, escaping China’s strict political system “would be suicide.”
Screenshot, YouTube
“Your parents would kill you,” he said. “There’s no way of succeeding outside the system.”
Wang’s father is Wang Jianlin, founder of the Chinese retail and real-estate conglomerate Dalian Wanda. He is estimated to be worth $31.5 billion.
Wang Sicong has his own professional online-gaming team, and in his interview he explained why the hobby was so popular in China: It allows people to escape that system.
For young people, living in the system doesn’t just mean loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and all of its teachings — it means an incredibly fierce competition to get into top schools in China and around the world. Young people study around the clock under intense pressure.
Students after taking an SAT exam at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong in 2013
REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
“The state chooses what’s mainstream and you have to conform to that,” he said from his luxurious high-rise apartment. “If your ideals are not mainstream, then you’re wrong.
“Of course, everyone has their own ideas, so what they do is they put on a mask and they go through life with a mask. Why is online gaming so popular in China? Because once you go online you can take off that mask and say what you really think.”
His tone isn’t angry. It is resigned.
“I think at some point, you just accept it,” he said, arguing that that acceptance was why protests are not prevalent in China.
Watch Wang’s interview below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSDe4cxH2WM
New interview series with China’s unmarried women shows, shrinks attitude gap between generations
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Act of Japanese kindness touches one man’s heart, provides hope for elevator etiquette
Animal Crossing fan recreating all of Ghibli’s Spirited Away in New Horizons, and it’s incredible
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
These are Tokyo train lines people most want to live along【Survey】
Starbucks Japan releases new Stanley bottles and exclusive drinkware at Reserve Roastery Tokyo
Soba restaurant in Japan struggles to find new employee, rewords job ad and offers flood in
Who is this mysterious large man who’s suddenly showing up on giant signs in Japan?
Hilarious Japanese commercial shows what happens when you beat the company president
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Morning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
Studio Ghibli turns My Neighbour Totoro characters into bag charms for everyday adventures
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Leave a Reply