Zhang replaced Lee Kai-fu, (I have written quite a few blogs about Lee) as director of Microsoft's research center in Beijing in 2000. One thing that Zhang could do that no one else could before him was convince the Chinese government to award post-doctoral degrees to a foreign company for the first time.

Zhang seems to be especially skilled at dealing with Chinese officials and his ability to cut through red tape to get things done with 'one phone call.'

The kid is a genius, but if he can get the entire Chinese government to move with one phone call, he should be called a miracle worker.

What do you think?

Editorial Commentary by Mr. Stolyarov: I salute exceptional ability no matter where I find it; this is an example of an individual rising to tremendous success and prominence through his own intelligence and hard work -- and outmaneuvering bureaucratic restrictions as well. He is one of the Atlases who hold up the economy and move it forward.

Dr. Bill Belew is a former Intelligence Officer for a Destroyer Squadron. He lived 20 years in Japan, where he started a language school for Japanese ECS. Dr. Belew teaches classes for a vocational school and online for a national university.

See Dr. Belew's blog, PanAsianBiz, for news and discussions about business and current events in Russia and Asia. See ZhongHuaRising for Dr. Belew's reports on business in China and RisingSunofNihon on business in Japan.

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Learn about Mr. Stolyarov's novel, Eden against the Colossus, here.