China Law Blog

I have read about this guy and his project before. To me it says more about how much money can be squandered on vanity projects when you have local government officials in your back pocket. 10% GDP growth doesn't seem so impressive once you look at how many projects there are like this around China that are counted as investment and contribute to that growth rate but are essentially a waste of money.

I don't expect that electricity and water supply to these villas will be an issue as, like many villa developments I see around China, its highly unlikely that anyone will ever live in them.

But at least some foreign architects will make some money.

I spent a month in Inner Mongolia last year. I don't think I ever saw a shower that drained or a toilet that didn't overflow even at the better hotels. I was more happy doing my duty out on the steppe. I can't imagine how they can find contractor who can plumb or wire a building like that even in Baotou.

Baotou still looks and feels more like it's somewhere straight out of the old Soviet Union, much like Ulaan Baatar did a few years ago. (Now U.B. is starting to seem or maybe even be, a bit more livable) And the villa(s) that guy commissioned in the middle of the desert somewhere outside of Baotau reminds me of the housing boom (the super expensive villas) seemingly dropped right in the middle of the desert and with sand all over the place the moment one stepped out of them, right on the outskirts of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the late 1970's. ( but without the oil ) And so it's a good thing the guy has diversified his businesses because Cashmere, can be a very risky business as some of the weather events and cycles in Outer Mongolia have proven. (Animals can't drink ice) But hey, if that's where the guy wants to live, build him the super mansions he wants even if they're in the middle of the Gobi desert, but make sure to get paid in cash. And if you should run out of concepts Zaha Hadid can maybe give you some good ideas that also would fit in well in the middle of the Rub Al Khali. Every period seems to have its folks who've got more money than they know what to do with. And every period someone helps them spend it. It's called capitalist economics and it helps the world go round and round. (and where or when it will stop.... nobody knows)