ZHANG XIN: “They were talking about the future, the future of the CBD will be like the Manhattan of Beijing and I remember when I first came back to Beijing hearing people talk about this and thinking, oh these guys have never been to Manhattan, they have no idea about what they’re talking about. But, you know, seriously when you go out today that’s exactly what’s happening and you’re surrounded by these high-rise very dense buildings and it feels a modern version of Manhattan”.

MCDONELL: If the Beijing CBD now looks like a modern metropolis, that’s in no small part because of Soho’s towers and they’re not finished yet.

The ambitions of this company and its boss seem to know no bounds and perhaps this is a good metaphor for this city and even this country. The designs are becoming more striking; the locations more sought after and the buildings, well they’re just getting bigger and bigger.

But even being the largest developer in Beijing has not made Zhang Xin completely satisfied with the way things are going in China.

ZHANG XIN: “We have moved backward by having more government owned companies taking over and you know that powerful state owned companies are managing many, many industries and so to that extent it’s going backward. But you know if you look at the history, if you look at the historical point of view, none of those would stop the trend of China moving forward to become a more modernised country and to be more integrated with the rest of the world”.

MCDONELL: Yet some are hoping that it’s traditional culture which will propel them to international success.

ZHANG LAN: “Our staff numbers stand at over 10 thousand. Our business turnover is quite good”.

MCDONELL: “So how many restaurants will you have in five or ten years?”

ZHANG LAN: “In 2020 we’ll have 500 restaurants around the world”.

(to her staff) “We need to be bolder, because this time we sail the ocean, we carry the wind and we break the waves”.

MCDONELL: Zhang Lan is to restaurants what Zhang Xin is to property. She owns the “South Beauty” chain of Sichuan eateries and on the opening day of her newest outlet, she gives the staff a solid rev-up session.

ZHANG LAN: (to staff) “So, young fellows… young and beautiful sisters present the best drinks and the best food to our customers, okay?”

MCDONELL: As with other Chinese entrepreneurs, her ultimate goals are certainly not modest.

ZHANG LAN: “Like McDonald’s and KFC I believe that in 100 years the South Beauty brand will be known around the world and will rank at number 1!”