Wang Jianlin, founder and chairman of Dalian Wanda Group, said his only son, 28-year-old Wang Sicong, doesn't want to take over his shopping centres, hotels, theme parks and sports clubs.

But it is clear that Mr. Wang, who spoke to the New York Times with the assistance of an interpreter, has gotten the message that a bit less bombast might help smooth Wanda's forward march.

China's richest citizen is entertainment mogul Wang Jianlin, owner of AMC cinemas and founder of conglomerate Wanda, has a net worth of $34.4billion - less than half than that of Gates.