Qian Huili was born in 1963 in Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province. She specializes in the Yue opera Xiaosheng role, carrying on the traditions of the Xu (Yulan) style. Qian is a China national class-A actress, a member of the Chinese Dramatists Association, vice-chairperson of the Shanghai Dramatists Association, a standing committee member of the China Democratic League Shanghai City Council, and a Shanghai City political advisor. She is also currently the vice-president of the Shanghai Yue Opera Theater.
Some of her more well-known works include Dream of the Red Mansion, Romance of the West Chamber, Chasing Fish, Xi Shi Returns to Yue, The Purple Jade Hairpin, Sadness and happiness Destined, The Emperor’s Son-in-Law, The Jade Hairpin, The Tale of the Broken Finger, Two Stage Sisters, Liu Yong, Han Feizi, etc.
She won the prestigious Plum Blossom Award, and the Wenhua Award. She has also received the Shanghai Bai Yulan Theater Performance Main Role Award on two occasions, as well as the China Golden Record Award. She won the Outstanding Performance Award in the China National Youth Radio Competition, and the Bao Gang Elegant Art Award. Yue opera television series which she starred in received the Feitian Award, the 5-1 Project Award, and the Golden Eagle Award; she was called the “Star of Yue Opera” and one of the ten best young performers in Shanghai; she also received an honorary mention in the seventh Top Ten Outstanding Youth of Shanghai event. She has released a dozen Chinese opera albums, including a compilation called The Star of Yue Opera: Qian Huili, released by Knowledge Publishing House in January, 1993. She has been recognized by the China State Council for her outstanding achievements.