Li Daxi’s Cross-Boundary Life: From Answering Einstein’s Question to Bridging China-U.S. Tech
In the early spring of 1979, Li Daxi passed interviews with several prestigious universities in Guangzhou and secured an opportunity to study in the United States. In the spring of 2025, Li returned to this familiar yet transformed city and exclaimed, “Guangzhou has undergone earth-shaking changes.”
As a “boundary-crosser,” Li Daxi has held many titles: a top student born in Puning, Guangdong; a student of renowned Chinese-American physicist Tsung-Dao Lee; a director of a Wall Street investment firm; a survivor of the 9/11 attacks; and the founder of the Chinese Association for Science and Business (CASB).
Recently, in an exclusive interview with GDToday, Li Daxi, Chairman of the CASB and Overseas Member of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, described himself as a “bridge-builder”: bridging technology with business, and China with the world. He hopes the association can facilitate exchanges between China and other countries, sparking collaboration and mutual benefits through dialogue.
“Bridge-building is what we’ve always done,” Li explained. In 1997, he initiated the CASB, and in 1999, he founded a venture capital firm to support overseas students and scientists returning to China to start businesses. Later, he helped establish the Shenzhen Overseas Students Venture Park, which has incubated over 1,000 enterprises, including Netac, Xunlei, and Appotronics.
When discussing technology and innovation today, Li believes China holds advantages in both application and data capabilities, citing the recent buzz around DeepSeek as a prime example. He also expressed optimism about the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, calling it “the region most poised to attract top scientists.”
Studying in the U.S.: “To Solve Problems Einstein Couldn’t”
Born in 1948 in Puning, Guangdong, Li Daxi was influenced by his father, a former principal of Puning Normal School, and his mother, a primary school teacher. From a young age, he loved asking “why” and exploring the unknown.
“As a child, I was deeply curious about nature and eager to unravel the mysteries of the universe,” Li recalled. During his time at Puning No.2 Middle School, he spent ten days’ worth of meal money to buy a book titled Einstein and Relativity, solidifying his ambition to pursue physics.
Later, Li entered the Affiliated High School of South China Normal University in Guangzhou. During high school, he self-taught advanced physics and mathematics, eventually enrolling in South China Normal University. In 1978, he earned a spot as a graduate student in physics at Sun Yat-sen University, embarking on his academic journey.
In 1979, Li Daxi traveled to Beijing to attend lectures by Tsung-Dao Lee, a Nobel laureate in physics, Chinese-American scientist, and professor at Columbia University. Lee observed that Chinese students faced barriers to studying abroad due to the lack of TOEFL and GRE exams, and foreign universities’ limited understanding of Chinese academic standards.
Lee later spearheaded the China-U.S. Physics Examination and Application (CUSPEA) program, enabling 915 Chinese students to study in the U.S.—Li Daxi among them.
“This was a pivotal turning point in my life, allowing me to engage in cutting-edge global research,” Li said. In the CUSPEA exam, he ranked first at New York University and second at Columbia University. Following his mentors’ advice, he chose NYU with a full scholarship.
In his first year in the U.S., Li published a paper in a top-tier American physics journal. Immersed in high-energy physics, he aspired to win a Nobel Prize for China. “I wanted to solve the problems Einstein couldn’t,” he said of his early ambitions.
After earning his Ph.D. in 1985, Li pursued postdoctoral research. Following 11 years in physics, he concluded that superstring theory was too complex, requiring at least 50 more years for major breakthroughs.
As Li contemplated a career shift, a Wall Street headhunter approached him, arguing that his physics modeling skills could translate to financial modeling with immediate results. Recognizing China’s growing need for finance over physics, Li decided to “cross boundaries” into Wall Street.
Witnessing 9/11: From Finance to Entrepreneurship
Li spent 11 years on Wall Street. From 1991 to 2002, he worked at Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers, participating in major venture capital projects and serving as a vice president at Lehman.
His life changed on September 11, 2001. Running late for work, Li exited the subway to see a plane crashing into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. As he detoured, a second plane struck the South Tower, revealing the terrorist attack.
Li couldn’t fathom the towers collapsing. The sudden loss of colleagues made him realize life’s fragility. Surviving the tragedy, he vowed, “In our limited time, we should pursue what truly matters.”
After 9/11, Li resigned to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, aiming to advance China’s high-tech sector. Earlier, he had already laid groundwork: founding the CASB in 1997 and launching a venture capital firm in 1999 with its core members to assist returnees in starting businesses.
“I believed innovation and entrepreneurship were vital for China,” Li said. In 1998, he led 108 overseas scholars to the inaugural China (Guangzhou) Overseas Talent Exchange Conference. The next year, he brought a delegation to Shenzhen’s first China Hi-Tech Fair, catalyzing the Shenzhen Overseas Students Venture Park.
“Returnees should act like dumbbells—anchored both domestically and abroad,” Li stated. He viewed overseas talent as an untapped reservoir but acknowledged challenges like compensation and resources. The Overseas Students Venture Park venture park offered crucial support.
Over two decades, the Shenzhen Overseas Students Venture Park has incubated over 1,000 tech firms, including 14 listed companies such as Netac, Xunlei, and Appotronics.
“Bridging China and the World”
“Bridging technology with business, and China with the world” is the American AMERICAN CASB’s mission and Li’s vision. With over 1,000 members—mostly highly educated Chinese overseas students—the association has thrived for over 20 years, driving global tech innovation.
On innovation, Li highlighted China’s unique edge in AI: “China boasts a robust industrial base, massive user populations, and strengths in both application and data.”
He cited DeepSeek, an open-source AI model rivaling OpenAI’s at lower costs: “This is encouraging—it shows China can match the U.S. not just in applications, but also in originality.”
Li emphasized talent as critical for tech advancement. With improved funding and policies, China should “compete globally for top minds.” He praised his homeland: “The Greater Bay Area is among China’s best regions, attracting both domestic and international talent.”
The American AMERICAN CASB regularly organizes member visits to China and hosts Chinese delegations in the U.S., fostering exchanges that spark collaboration. “Bridge-building is what we’ve always done,” Li affirmed.
