[EVENT] MENAF – China’s belt and road initiative in the MENA region

Dr Guy Burton is a Visiting Fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre, where he focuses on the role of emerging powers in the Middle East, and how this affects instability and conflict in the region. Prior to becoming a fellow at the LSE, he held research and teaching appointments in the international relations of Dubai, the Kurdish region of Iraq, and Palestine.

Mr. SHAO Zheng is the Counsellor for Policy Analysis at the Chinese Embassy in London. Mr. Shao is an experienced diplomat, having served at Chinese Embassies in Washington DC and twice in London. He worked at the Dept. of International Organizations and Conferences, Dept. of Information, Dept of Boundary and Maritime Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (MFA). He also served at the Central Foreign Affairs Office of China, the top foreign policy decision-making body. He worked as Director of Spokesman’s Office of the MFA and organized press conferences by the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. He traveled with the President of China to international conferences, such as the UNGA, UN Security Council Meeting, G20 Summit, etc. Mr. Shao looks after policy issues at the Chinese Embassy in London and has spoken on China’s foreign policy at RUSI, Chatham House, King’s College, Wilton Park, Ditchley Park and many other institutions.