Mr. Wu had a knack for selling hard-nosed business decisions as generosity.

WSJ: He Led Village to Become China's Richest

In the past two years, as groundwork for the creation of a new branch, Mr Wu travelled to China monthly, making presentations to regulators and cultivating the overseas offices of existing clients.

ECONOMIST: For once, a foreign bank may have bought wisely in China

Mr. Wu then planned to mix in a video Mr. Buffett recorded a year earlier for a charity the Chinese executive is involved with, the Sun Culture Foundation.

WSJ: No Song, or Dance, for Buffett

At the moment, says Mr Wu, sites can say they are no more responsible for the way their space is used than telephone companies are for crimes discussed by users of their lines.

ECONOMIST: Censorship and the internet

Mr. SHAW WU (American Technology Research): Apple is known for their conservative guidance so it's not really a surprise.

NPR: Apple Earnings Jump, But Challenges Await