Yang Lan

Yang Lan
Yang at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in 2012
Born	(1968-03-31) March 31, 1968 (age 48) Beijing, China
Alma mater	Beijing Foreign Studies University Trinity College, Cambridge Columbia University
Occupation	Cofounder and Chairperson of the Sun Media Group and the Sun Culture Foundation.

Yang Lan (Chinese: 杨澜; pinyin: Yáng Lán; born March 31, 1968) is a Chinese media proprietor, journalist, and talk show hostess. She is the Cofounder and Chairperson of the Sun Media Group and the Sun Culture Foundation.

In 2013, she's ranked 100 in the 100 World’s Most Powerful Women in Forbes.

Yang Lan was born in 1968 in Beijing. Yang's mother was an engineer, and her father taught English literature at Beijing Foreign Studies University and sometimes served as the official translator for former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. In 1980–1986, she studied at the High School Affiliated to Beijing Polytechnic University (now is called the High School Affiliated to Beijing Institute of Technology), which is the key high school of Haidian District. In 1986–1990, she studied at the Beijing Foreign Studies University and received her bachelor's degree in English Language & Literature.

At the School of English and International Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University. Considering for future work, she majored in international economics. Each of her subjects did well, and was ranked in the top few. She was also elected as the Vice President of the Student Union. She also joined the college amateur Repertory Theatre, and won the title of Best Actress in one English play, in which she portrayed a British woman who was obsessed with psychoanalysis, but finally came to her senses. She also served as hostess in a number of students’ shows.

The School library was her favourite place at the university. Yang has mentioned that Romain Rolland's Jean-Christophe novel is her favourite book.

Just before she graduated, she was offered a position at the China Great Wall Hotel which she declined for Charoen Pokphand of Thailand when they ended cooperation with several local TV stations and turned to cooperated with China Central Television, producing a program called “Zheng Da Variety Show". They decided to pick a female student with college experience to do moderator and when the director Xin Shaoying came to Beijing Foreign Studies University, Yang Lan was recommended by the school. There were more than 30 students participated in the interview. Xin Shaoying frankly said that she hoped to find a "new face", a little innocent would be better. Then, the director let each of the students say a few words. Yang Lan briefly introduced herself, and then said, "Why do you want to find a innocent type television hostess? what we lack is capable and experienced professional women!" Afterwards, Yang Lan reflected that the director did not think her looks was particularly outstanding, but she was thoughtful.