I was based at a high end beach resort on Hainan Island. More and more big yachts and private jets - that never move. Ever. I am not sure that both weren't just elaborate ways for the Chinese to move money offshore.

To fly a private aircraft, they have to submit a REQUEST and flight plan more than 36 hours prior, and they are often denied. It is currently not a very flexible way for a Chinese billionaire to move himself around.

It was even dumber for the yachts. To go to Shanghai, they had to stop and check in to immigration in every province along the way, and take aboard a ship pilot from that province.

The company I worked for also had an executive jet operation for more than 15 years. The local pilots I worked with all wanted to work for that subsidiary, because they almost never flew.

Someday maybe private jets will be big in China, but that day is not today. That doesn't mean they won't buy a bunch, and even hire a few pilots. You have to live in China to understand.

On second thought, I still don't understand. Not even close.