Inside China's most exclusive business club

Car magnate Li Shufu talks with friends as he comes to a tough decision

When it was announced four years ago that the Chinese carmaker Geely was buying Swedish carmaker Volvo, the company drew plaudits worldwide for the daring and astuteness of its move.

But few people are aware of the months of preparation that went into planning the $1.8 billion (1.3 billion euros) deal and the role that about 20 of China's richest and most powerful business people played in making it happen.