7.6 Million Yuan in 10 Days! Star Economist Hong Hao Turns Knowledge Sharing into a Lucrative Business

[Red Star Capital, Nov 3]
The financial community is buzzing again — this time, about Hong Hao, the well-known economist who has turned his insights into gold.
Hong recently launched a paid Knowledge Planet community priced at ¥899 per year, and in just 10 days, over 8,500 members have subscribed — translating into roughly ¥7.6 million in revenue. That’s more than the annual salary of many top securities executives.

Hong Hao, formerly the Head of Strategy at BOCOM International and Chief Economist at Sirui Group, took over as CEO of Huafu International earlier this year, only to resign two months later. His latest venture into knowledge monetization has once again made headlines.

From Research Reports to Paid Knowledge Platforms

On October 25, Hong announced his Knowledge Planet platform, describing it as an “extension of paid research reports,” sharing real-time insights into markets, trends, and investment opportunities.
He noted the current price is a “trial offer,” hinting that rates will rise soon.

By November 3, the platform had exceeded 8,500 members. Based on the current subscription price, his estimated revenue reached ¥7.6 million.
However, according to platform policy, members can request refunds within 72 hours — meaning the final number may vary.

A Shift Toward Independent Research

Public records show that Hong left BOCOM International in 2022 to focus on the buy-side. After leaving Huafu International in June 2025, he announced he would concentrate on independent research and hedge fund management, serving as Managing Partner and CIO of Lotus Asset Management.

A Broader Trend: Financial Experts Embrace the “Knowledge Economy”

Hong Hao isn’t alone.

• Liu Xiang, former Deputy Director at Kaiyuan Securities, saw his Knowledge Planet subscription climb from ¥199 to ¥1,099.
• Liu Yuhui, former Chief Economist at Huatai, GF, and Tianfeng Securities, has run his platform for over 7 years, attracting nearly 10,000 members at ¥488 per year — an estimated ¥5 million in total revenue.

As the traditional brokerage business faces pressure, more financial professionals are commercializing their expertise through paid knowledge platforms — turning years of research into a new, profitable revenue stream.

In short:
For China’s financial elites, knowledge isn’t just power — it’s profit.