An ageing William Simon, US Treasury secretary under Richard Nixon, once famously remarked that if he were 40 he would move to Hong Kong to take advantage of the China story.
Two decades on, the country's pull has grown so powerful that a veteran such as Anthony Bolton, one of Europe's most renowned stockpickers, has shelved his retirement plans to make precisely that move. Instead of decamping to his Caribbean home to indulge a passion for composing music, London-based Mr Bolton, who turns 60 in March, is preparing to relocate to Hong Kong to launch a China-focused mutual fund.
He achieved legendary status during his 28 years at Fidelity International's Special Situations fund, during which time it delivered an annualised return of 19.5 per cent. Now, he explains: "The centre of gravity is clearly shifting to this part of the world and I want to play a part in it while I can. The investment opportunity is simply too great to pass up."