Wu Yi

Wu Yi is a retired Chinese politician who served as a Vice Premier of China between 2003 and 2008. She was one of the country's most visible leaders during the first decade of the 21st century, best known for taking on the role of Minister of Health from April 2003 during the SARS outbreak, shortly after becoming vice premier. She was also a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party. She has since retired and left public life. She was commonly referred to as the "iron lady" by Chinese media, and was known to be a tough negotiator internationally. Forbes magazine ranked her the world's second-most powerful woman in 2004, 2005, and 2007.