Early Life and Education
Zhang Xin was born in Beijing in 1965. Her parents were of Chinese-Burmese descent. At age 14, she moved with her mother to Hong Kong, where she worked in garment and electronic factories for five years to save for her education. She moved to the United Kingdom at 19. She earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Sussex in 1987 and a master's degree in Development Economics from Cambridge University in 1992.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Cambridge, she worked in investment banking, including a role at Goldman Sachs. In 1995, she returned to Beijing and co-founded SOHO China with her husband, Pan Shiyi. SOHO China became a major real estate developer in China. In 2007, the company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising $1.9 billion. The company developed over 5 million square meters of commercial properties in Beijing and Shanghai, with modern designs and iconic architecture.
Key Business Strategies
SOHO China focused on developing and holding high-profile commercial properties in prime locations. The company adopted an innovative approach to real estate development, collaborating with international architects. In 2012, SOHO China shifted from a 'build to sell' to a 'build to hold' strategy, specializing in office real estate. In 2015, they launched shared-office product SOHO 3Q.
Philanthropy
Zhang Xin and her husband are involved in philanthropy through the SOHO China Foundation. In 2005, they established the foundation to support education-focused initiatives in China. In 2014, they launched the SOHO China Scholarships, a $100 million initiative to fund Chinese students at top international universities, including Harvard, Yale, and the University of Chicago.