Mattie Bekink is responsible for the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network’s China strategy, including programme development and client engagement across China.

Ms Bekink has extensive experience in the public, private and policy sectors. Prior to joining The Economist Group, she was the Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in the Netherlands. She also ran an eponymous consulting business, advising businesses, universities and non-profit organisations on China policy, strategy, public affairs, and CSR. Ms Bekink practiced law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, has worked with the US-Asia Law Initiative at NYU Law School and the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative China Program, and served in the legal department at General Motors China.

Ms Bekink has a BA in International Relations from Stanford University and a JD from the Georgetown University Law Center.

Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping is Co-Founder of the East Asian International Relations (EAIR) Caucus, Adjunct Lecturer at the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College (MAFDC), and Editorial Board Member of the AUP Politics and IR in Asia Series, Amsterdam University Press. She taught Strategic Studies and International Relations at the National University of Malaysia (UKM) for more than 15 years. Dr. Hoo was a member of the Ministry of Defence’s Writing Team to produce Malaysia’s inaugural Defence White Paper in 2019 and a member of the Consultative Council on Foreign Policy (CCFP) that contributed to Malaysia’s post-pandemic foreign policy framework from 2021 until 2022.

Dr. Hoo’s main research interests include Korean Peninsula security issues, Malaysia’s foreign and defence policies, and linkages between Northeast and Southeast Asia. Her most recent publication includes as the editor of The New Southern Policy: Catalyst for Deepening ASEAN-ROK Relations (ISIS Malaysia, 2020), SWOT analysis of Malaysia between US and China (Asan Institute, 2023), North Korea’s economic statecraft (with Hirzawati Atikah, 2023), and a forthcoming co-editing book volume (with Shine Choi and Brian Bridges) on Southeast Asia-DPRK relations. She received her PhD in Politics and International Relations from La Trobe University, Australia.

Dr. Ngeow Chow Bing is Associate Professor and Director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, a Co-Convenor of East Asian International Relations Caucus, and a Nonresident Scholar at Carnegie China. He received his PhD in Public and International Affairs from Northeastern University. He is editor of Populism, Nationalism and South China Sea Dispute (Springer, 2022, with Nian Peng), Researching China in Southeast Asia (Routledge, 2019) and Southeast Asia and China: A Contest in Mutual Socialization (World Scientific, 2017, with Lowell Dittmer). He has published in various academic journals such as Cold War History, Ocean Development and International Law, China Report, The China Review, Journal of Contemporary China, Asian Politics and Policy, Contemporary Southeast Asia, East Asia: An International Quarterly, Issues and Studies, Problems of Post-Communism, and others. In addition, he has also published shorter pieces on media and policy-oriented online platforms such as ThinkChina, East Asia Forum, The Asia Dialogue, and others.

Sumana is a senior policy professional with 17 years of experience. Having worked at several dynamic and vibrant tech firms, Sumana designs and implements policies through advocacy, strategic communication and evidence-based analysis. With a flair for writing and communication, Sumana is able to negotiate complex engagements & cultivate senior-level internal/external relationships.

Sumana holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, as well as a B.A. in Political Science and Geography from UCLA.