Hu Shuli

b. 1953, Beijing

Journalist, publisher

Hu Shuli is a media pioneer who has pushed the boundaries of media ownership, reporting and legal rights. Though not her original plan, after farming and serving as a nurse’s assistant during the Cultural Revolution, Hu followed in her mother’s and grandfather’s footsteps by entering the journalism programme of People’s University in 1978. From 1982 to 1998 she reported for Workers’ Daily and China Business Times; the latter gave her greater leeway to pursue important stories and interviews.

Two fellowships in the United States in 1987 and 1994 strengthened her commitment to independent reporting.

In 1998, with financial support from the private Stock Exchange Executive Council, she founded Business and Finance Review (Caijing), a glossy bi-weekly magazine dedicated to uncovering the unethical, illegal and nonsensical behaviour of Chinese companies, banks, investment houses, accountants and regulators. In one celebrated report in October 2000, Caijing revealed the price-fixing and inside-trading rampant among China’s largest investment funds—the schemers had met naked at a Shanghai bathhouse to ensure none of them would record the conversation. Caijing has vigorously defended itself against several lawsuits brought by companies unaccustomed to such aggressive reporting. Despite these pressures, Hu has not been cowed. In words reminiscent of Qin Benli, editor of the 1980s reformist World Economic Herald (Shijie jingjidaobao), Hu says, ‘We know where the line is, and we walk right up to it’ Some claim Caijing endures only with the support of a patron, but Hu denies having any political backers.

SCOTT KENNEDY