Name: Mao Zhenhua
Gender: Male 
Year of Birth: 1964
Degree: Doctorate
Major: Economy
Former Position: President of China Chengxin Credit Management Co. Ltd.
Current Position: Director of the Institute for Economic Research, Renmin University
Industry: Finance

Mao Zhenhua is a typical member of the ’92 Group that drove China’s economic reforms and helped transform China into an economic superpower, but not much else about him could be considered typical. Only 44 years old, he is looking forward to the next 30 years of his life, years the former CEO is planning to spend as an academic, serving as the Director of the Institute for Economic Research at Beijing’s Renmin University.

In 1979, at the tender age of just 15, Mao Zhenhua entered university, and at 24 he became Hainan’s youngest high level cadre. He was 28 when Deng Xiaoping made his explosive ‘southern tour’. By ’92 Deng Xiaoping had been out of government for 3 years, leaving the presidency to his hand-picked successor Jiang Zemin, yet he was disappointed by the conservative turn the country was taking. Deng headed south, as far away from the Beijing politburo as he could, to Shenzhen where his speeches encouraging government officials to leave government and enter private enterprise sparked the ’92 Group – a group of 100,000 government officials who decamped for private companies in a wave that became a tsunami of economic growth. Mao left his position and founded China Chengxin Credit Management Co. Ltd.

China Chengxin Credit Management Co Ltd. is a credit management and consulting company that doe extensive private and corporate investigation, and evaluation; and works with the government to strengthen China’s credit development. Mao also served as the vice-chairman of the China Society of Private Economy Research, and sat on the council of the Association of Hong Kong and Macau Economy. He took charge of the general financing plan for the massive Three Gorges Project and many other governmental projects. In addition to his corporate leadership roles here and abroad Mao is the director general of the Basic Analysis of China’s Listed Companies editorial committee.

Now Mao Zhenhua is striding into the academic arena. As the Director of the Institute for Economic Research at Renmin University, he will bring his vast economic knowledge and experience, and maybe even some of his drive and entrepreneurial spirit to the study of China’s burgeoning economy and the cultivation of China’s future economic leaders.

Accepting an award on behalf of Dong Fureng, Dec 7th, 2008

Ten questions for Mao Zhenhua

Q: What has been the biggest change in your life during these last few years?
Mao: My identity. I went from a farmer to a college student; later I considered myself an elite and I got quick promotions when I was working in government. From very early on I learned a lot doing business. Finally I went to university for research. My goal is still to make a contribution to our country; this is a persistent impulse of mine.

Q: Which event has had the biggest impact on you?
Mao: I founded a business in 1992, gradually became a shareholder of the company and finally became a businessman.

Q: Which is the most important decision you’ve made in your life?
Mao: Going to the Institute of Economics of Renmin University of China for research. It’s been 30 years since I started university, and I can live another 30 years. I must still have a plan for a suitable future. 

Q: What’s your biggest wish at this moment?
Mao: To be a great educator, cultivating comprehensive ambitious talents who understand China, have a solid theoretical foundation, and can positively influence the country and society. 

Q: What’s your biggest worry?
Mao: What I fear most is large-scale problems and upheaval in China’s macroeconomy. There are currently some challenges facing China’s macroeconomy, including financial risks and market risks. If successful transformation is not accomplished, the remarkable growth momentum will be suppressed.

Q: To whom have you given your best time?
Mao: China Chengxin Credit Management Co. Ltd. I gave them 15 years .

Q: What aspect of yourself do you most wish to strengthen?
Mao: My conviction to succeed. I should strengthen my purposefulness because I tend to just adapt to my surroundings. Earlier in my career I was just going with the flow and I don’t have concrete objectives.

Q: If you could, how would you choose to recreate yourself?
Mao: I’d like to return to when I was young, with the ideals I had then, and my fervent hopes for society. I was so innocent then and not very worldly.

Q: Are you anxious?
Mao: No, I am not anxious. I am always optimistic.

Q: Are you happy?
Mao: Yes!

 

Interview excerpted from Renwu Weekly and edited by Fred Dintenfass

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