Early Life and Education
Zhang Xin was born in Beijing in 1965. After her parents separated, she moved to Hong Kong with her mother at the age of 15. To fund her education, she worked in factories making garments and electronics for five years. At 19, she moved to London and attended a secretarial school, before obtaining a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Sussex in 1987. She furthered her education, earning a master's degree in development economics from Cambridge University in 1992.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Cambridge, Zhang worked for Barings PLC. She then returned to Beijing and, with her husband Pan Shiyi, co-founded Hongshi, later renamed SOHO China, in 1995. Within a decade, SOHO China became the largest property developer in the country. The company is known for its innovative and modern architectural designs. In 2014, she was listed as the 62nd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes and is often named among the top businesswomen globally.
Key Business Strategies
SOHO China focused on developing high-profile commercial properties in Beijing and Shanghai. The company's strategy involved creating landmark buildings in prime locations, which attracted investors and local businesses. Zhang spearheaded a shift from building and selling properties to buying and leasing them. She also acquired stakes in major New York City properties. A key achievement was the successful transition of SOHO China into a buyer and lessor of commercial spaces.
Philanthropy
Zhang and her husband established the SOHO China Foundation in 2005 to support education. In 2014, the Foundation launched the SOHO China Scholarships, a $100 million initiative providing financial aid to Chinese students at leading international universities. Initial commitments were made to Harvard, Yale, and the University of Chicago. Their philanthropic efforts have drawn both praise and criticism, notably for their focus on funding education abroad. The foundation has also supported projects focused on underprivileged communities in China.
