On July 17, 2023 Asia Society Seattle and the Washington State China Relations Council co-hosted an Executive Roundtable discussion with Mr. Wang Shi, Founder and Honorary Chairman of China Vanke, one of the largest real estate company in the world. Mr. Wang was also one of the Asia Society’s Asia Game Changer Award Honorees in 2018. Mr. Wang shared his stories of being a leading proponent of global decarbonization efforts, from spearheading Vanke’s sustainable building initiative, and through sports, including mountaineering and rowing. Having led China’s Private Sector Delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference since 2015, Mr. Wang emphasized the role private sector and entrepreneurs play in innovation, sustainability, decarbonization. He also suggested amidst the currently fraught relationship between U.S. and China, people-to-people exchange and collaboration on climate change can be alternative tracks for collaboration.

Mr. Wang Shi signed his new book Back to the Future (in Chinses), recounting his and his team’s rowing journey in 14 countries around the world, for all event participants. The event participants also signed a flag for Deep Dive, a pioneering eco-friendly sports education group that Mr. Wang established.