This week on Inside the China Room, Jiang Jiang (JJ) is joined by Robert Wu, CEO of BigOne Lab, a leading alternative data and research firm in China. Robert is also the creator of two acclaimed China-focused newsletters, Baiguan and China Translated. Long-time listeners might remember Robert as the guest on our very first episode.

During this holiday season, I couldn't think of a better time to invite Robert back to the show. In this episode, we'll get his outlook on 2025 from the perspective of a CEO in China and a leading figure in the data industry. While we won't be able to cover everything, I hope what we discussed will resonate with you.

In this conversation, we dive into the market outlook for 2025, emerging trends in China's consumer market, the "all-in" mindset of CEOs, China's first centrally administered state-owned enterprise dedicated to data technology, the evolution of data as a strategic asset, the influence of China-U.S. relations on business strategies, and even a discussion about the TV series 我的阿勒泰 To the Wonder.

Highlights:

01:45 - Renewed interest in Chinese equities amid global market uncertainties

07:59 - How interest-based and value-based consumption will shape China's consumer market in 2025

12:16 - Lululemon's growth in China driven by shifting consumer priorities toward premium sportswear

15:57 - How "Founder Mode" shapes the way Chinese entrepreneurs lead their businesses

20:17 - China's new state-owned data enterprise to break down "data silos" and boost efficiency

27:20 - How China-U.S. relations in 2025 will influence business strategies

33:15 - Recommendation

Recommendation:

TV Series: 我的阿勒泰 To the Wonder, released this May on Chinese video platform iQIYI.COM

You can also listen to Inside the China Room with Jiang Jiang on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gingerriver.com