Sun Yafang


Sun Yafang is a Chinese engineer and business executive who has served as Chairwoman of Huawei from 1999 to 2018. As of 2016, she is listed as the 38th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.

Background

She earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in 1982. Then, Sun started working as a technician at Xin Fei TV Manufactory. In 1985, she became an engineer at the Beijing Research Institution of Communication Technology. She began her career with Huawei in 1989 and became chairwoman of the corporation in 1999.
A 2011 report by the CIA stated Sun worked for the Ministry of State Security of the People's Republic of China and linked her to the Chinese military.
In March 2018, Sun Yafang stepped down as Chairwoman of Huawei.

Awards

In May 2012, she received the World Telecommunication and Information Society Award from the International Telecommunication Union. As of 2014, she is listed as the 81st most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.