LEADING WOMEN

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Leading Women

Baidu boss: China helps women succeed at work

From Kristie Lu Stout, CNN

June 5, 2012 -- Updated 1632 GMT (0032 HKT)

Baidu's Jennifer Li offers some tough love: "We as women, we need to start and act; not thinking about the issues -- because I feel gender in the work environment should not be a factor when it comes to how far you can go."

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Jennifer Li: A woman to watch in technology

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• China's work environment gives women more opportunities for success, says top businesswoman
• Jennifer Li is CFO of Baidu, the world's largest Chinese-language search engine
• Baidu, which has 78% share of China's internet market, employs slightly more women than men, says Li
• Li: "Gender is not a factor. To be a successful career person, it's about a passion for excellence"

(CNN) -- Women in China have a lot more opportunities in business because it is "not gender-based, it's merit-based," says one of China's top female businesswoman.

Jennifer Li, CFO of Baidu, the world's largest Chinese-language search engine, sometimes referred to as "China's Google," adds that China is a very female-friendly business environment.

"The society is very open and many companies create a level playing field when it comes to employment," adds Li, who controls the corporate functions of a company worth nearly $32 billion.

According to data from Beijing-based research firm Analysys International, Baidu has secured a staggering 78% share of the world's largest internet market -- China's 500 million internet users.

Baidu, founded by search engine expert and entrepreneur Robin Li (no relation) in 2000, employs slightly more women than men, according to Jennifer Li.

Woman at the heart of 'China's Google'

"They're very open, very communicative, very assertive and sometimes can be very aggressive, too," she says of Baidu's female employees.

"These women are all women with great ambition. You can tell their focus is not about, 'How do I fulfill a woman's role as a mother or as a young woman trying to get married?' They're more thinking about their lifetime career objectives."

Beijing-raised Li began her career in finance at General Motors, following an MBA at the University of British Columbia. She worked there for 14 years before joining Baidu in 2008.

Here Li talks to CNN about her management style, on balancing creativity with control and how to succeed as a woman in business.

On women and work ...

To read more please visit the link:  http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/05/business/baidu-jennifer-li-women/index.html