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James King

Background​

  • Chinese investor and business leader based in Pudong, Shanghai
  • Representative of LZ group, a major investment firm
  • 20+ years experience in real estate development in Pudong area
  • Former employee of Lujiazui Group, developer of the Lujiazui Financial Center
  • Father of two sons with Christian names: Jacob and Joseph
  • Former member of family church during university, later joined state-owned company and became pre-member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
  • Understands both Christian and Communist ideologies
  • Passionate about providing next generation with educational opportunities beyond current Chinese system

Professional Background​

  • Real Estate Development: 20 years with focus on Pudong/Shanghai area
  • Lujiazui Group: Previously worked for the developer of Shanghai's major financial center
  • International Education: 10 years ago involved in setting up Wellington College, a British-style international school in China
  • Investment Focus: Currently evaluating education sector opportunities through LZ group
  • Government Relations: Understands Chinese regulatory environment and bureaucratic processes

Family & Personal Values​

  • Two Sons: Jacob and Joseph (given Christian names intentionally)
  • Educational Philosophy: Wants children to understand different ideologies beyond just communism
  • Cultural Bridge-Builder: Recognizes problems with current Chinese education system that focuses on government ideology rather than language skills
  • Generational Vision: Believes 15-20 million Chinese parents want to give their children different educational experiences than they had

Current Interests & Projects​

  • AlexEd China Education Initiative: Key investor and local facilitator for revolutionary education model in Pudong
  • US-China Educational Collaboration: Passionate about bringing American educational innovations to China
  • Government Relations: Working to secure land and licensing support from Pudong/Shanghai government officials
  • International School Development: Leveraging experience from Wellington College project for new educational models

Key Insights & Perspectives​

  • Chinese Education Critique: "The literacy education in our school is not about teaching the skill of the language, but about teaching the ideology of the government. The government just utilizes the language to brainwash the next generation."
  • Market Opportunity: Estimates 15-20 million Chinese parents interested in alternative educational approaches
  • Geopolitical Understanding: "The relationship between our two countries is a bit subtle. But the relationship between the people of our two countries are still very friendly."
  • Timing Recognition: "China is about to change for the next very, very different age. So we got to be prepared."
  • Government Openness: "Currently the Pudong government... probably is still the most open... district in China."

Strategic Value​

  • Local Market Access: Deep understanding of Chinese education market and parent expectations
  • Government Connections: Established relationships with Pudong/Shanghai officials
  • Regulatory Navigation: Experience with international school licensing and development in China
  • Cultural Intelligence: Bilingual capabilities and understanding of both Western and Chinese business practices
  • Investment Capital: Represents significant funding through LZ group for education initiatives

Interactions with Project Team​

  • June 16, 2025: Founding team meeting where he formally invited Lael Alexander to join China education initiative
  • Strategic Role: Positioned as "the glue that keeps the team together" and local facilitator for China operations
  • Government Liaison: Primary contact for securing official support and licensing from Chinese authorities
  • Cultural Translator: Helps bridge understanding between American educational innovators and Chinese market realities

Vision & Goals​

  • Educational Revolution: Create schools that show China and America can collaborate on world-changing projects
  • Ideological Diversity: Provide Chinese students exposure to different worldviews beyond state-controlled curriculum
  • Next Generation Preparation: Ensure Chinese youth are prepared for rapidly changing global landscape
  • Bridge Building: Use education as vehicle for improved US-China relations at people-to-people level
  • Systematic Change: Help prepare China for "next very, very different age" through educational transformation

Key Quotes & Perspectives (Updated June 23, 2025)​

On Chinese Capital Exit Strategy​

"I can tell you there are many, many wealthy Chinese investors. They would like to invest their money in Singapore, in Malaysia. They just don't know. They just don't have a project... They don't have a vessel to carry their money out of China."

On Government Collaboration Philosophy​

"We got to sleep with the devils, you know. The devils in the region, but we got to sleep with the devils. But once we fuck with the devils, the devils will pour in tons of money into our project."

On Educational Investment Strategy​

"How you pull out with clean hands, clean money, and a free soul. It's a very, very fine art."

On WeChat Surveillance Warning​

"Be careful of using WeChat... I was a volunteer of my community as a member of the CCP... I just speak one word in the group... One simple word. The government shut up my WeChat."

On Practical vs Idealistic Approach​

"We are living in the real world... We are not going to orient the business from our angle. We have to orient our business from their angle. It's what they want. Not what we want."

On Chinese Education Market Reality​

"Critical thinking is not allowed or not encouraged in China. Because the government, the authority is not willing to be questioned, not willing to be challenged."

Contact Information​

  • Based in Pudong, Shanghai
  • Connected through LZ group investment firm
  • Part of AlexEd team with Sherman Taylor, Lina Lu, and Ari Crane

Interactions with Project Team (continued)​

  • June 23, 2025: CHINA EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP FINANCIAL STRUCTURING SUMMIT - Led comprehensive discussion on practical implementation requirements for China education initiative. James outlined detailed financial structure proposing $150,000 USD matching investment from each side: "Both the American side and the Chinese side can deposit one million RMB each into the Macau company. A start-up fund to allow us to map out the detailed strategy." Explained government approval process requiring third-party auditing: "Actually, the government, yes, they have to certify we are a serious business approaching them. So they actually asked us to hire a third party, an audition company like a KPMG, like a PwC to supervise the program." Provided market analysis of existing international schools: "They charge the students for a 300,000 RMB... per year. So they have a thousand students... the tuition fee income, turn over a year, is already 300 million RMB." Warned about critical thinking restrictions: "Critical thinking is not allowed or not encouraged in China. Because the government, the authority is not willing to be questioned." Shared personal WeChat surveillance experience: "I was a volunteer of my community as a member of the CCP... I just speak one word in the group... One simple word. The government shut up my WeChat." Explained capital exit strategy for Chinese investors: "I can tell you there are many, many wealthy Chinese investors. They would like to invest their money in Singapore, in Malaysia... They don't have a vessel to carry their money out of China." Revealed CCP membership and community volunteer role during COVID-19 lockdowns. Emphasized need for detailed business mapping: "We are not going to ask someone to pour in tons of money. We can, but we must have a solid, solidified program." Confirmed access to Chinese government $500 billion AI infrastructure fund and committed to transparent collaboration with Gary on financial planning while maintaining security protocols for communications.

Notes​

  • Political Sensitivity: Acknowledges meetings may be monitored by government but believes "control of the government is losing"
  • Historical Perspective: Draws parallels between Shanghai's development and Hong Kong's trajectory
  • Family Values: Chose Christian names for sons to expose them to ideologies beyond communism
  • Investment Timing: Believes current moment represents optimal opportunity for educational innovation in China
  • Personal Risk: Willing to openly discuss ideological diversity and government criticism, indicating strong commitment to project
  • CCP Membership: Revealed membership in Chinese Communist Party and community volunteer experience during Shanghai COVID-19 lockdowns
  • WeChat Surveillance: Personal experience with government monitoring leading to account suspension and police questioning
  • Capital Exit Expertise: Deep understanding of Chinese investor motivations and regulatory constraints for moving capital overseas
  • Communication Security: Advocates for separate individual conversations rather than group communications due to surveillance concerns

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary
2025-06-16-alexed-china-education-founding-team-meeting2025-06-16Founding team meeting for AlexEd China education initiative providing market assessment and Pudong real estate development expertise
2025-06-23-china-education-partnership-financial-structuring-discussion2025-06-23China education partnership financial structuring discussion with Gary, Dr. Alexander, and Sherman Taylor