Wealth is a funny thing in China, because it hardly buys you a real lifestyle, as the author already hinted.
I would argue that broke foreign students partying in Shanghai have more fun than local multi millionaires struggling to find stuff to buy and places to go that give them more status and better entertainment than average mid management joe.
If you never thought that getting rich as a way to attain happiness was a trap in the west, then going to China will open your eyes...
It also helps given that those countries don't have extradition treaties with China, so embezzling money in China, sending it abroad with your kid and wife, and then making a last minute escape before you are caught and executed is a good strategy (see naked officials).
The real estate and university thing is more of status symbol than a real exit strategy.
Most wealthy chinese people would not feel comfortable living outside of China due to a lack of language skills, cultural unfamiliarity and a lack of extended family and friends.
Those making the move long term are usually economically motivated and not very old.
I would argue that broke foreign students partying in Shanghai have more fun than local multi millionaires struggling to find stuff to buy and places to go that give them more status and better entertainment than average mid management joe.
If you never thought that getting rich as a way to attain happiness was a trap in the west, then going to China will open your eyes...