China's new generation of tycoons is its most enigmatic yet

The Economist reports that China's new generation of young billionaires, led by DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng, are highly secretive and avoid media attention. Liang, whose AI lab is valued at $71 billion, has a personal wealth of $38 billion, surpassing Western AI leaders like Sam Altman. According to Hurun, China has at least 29 self-made billionaires aged 40 or under in 2026, nine more than the previous year. These tycoons rarely appear on television or at conferences, with few photos or videos available. The article highlights the contrast between their global business success and their enigmatic public profiles, positioning them as the most mysterious cohort of Chinese billionaires yet.