Unirule conducted research and education in social sciences, primarily in economics, governance, policy, and culture.
Unirule Institute of Economics was an independent, non-for-profit, nongovernmental think tank, which was founded jointly in July 1993 by Sheng Hong (盛洪), Mao Yushi, Zhang Shuguang (张曙光), Fan Gang, Tang Shouning (唐寿宁), and Beijing Universal Culture Co. Ltd. (北京大象文化有限公司).
Workmen welded the door shut with five staff members inside, although they were released after police arrived.
Sheng added that they would try to hire temporary premises for meetings in the future, but in the modern age the institute could survive without a physical presence.
Unirule did not receive financial assistance from any government entities, and instead, was dependent upon social donations and provisional grants for projects from institutions in China and abroad.
Projects included research proposals entrusted to Unirule, training programs and other services provided.