BUA Institution

Freie Universität Berlin

Research Description

My current research compares the role of the private sector in global governance across the United States, China, and Europe. It examines how multi-stakeholder, government-led, and integrative governance models shape corporate participation and policy outcomes, aiming to develop a more balanced and globally effective governance framework.

Where in the world has your career been largely based until now?

My academic career has been largely based in Shanghai of Mainland China, complemented by research and study experiences in Europe, the United States, Australia, and South Korea. I have also participated in several UN-related initiatives and diplomatic exchanges between China and the United States, reflecting my commitment to global governance and international collaboration.

Why Berlin?

Berlin offers an exceptional academic environment and a strong research network. As a visiting fellow at the Cluster of Excellence “SCRIPTS,” I benefit from close collaboration with outstanding European scholars, think-tank experts, and colleagues. The city’s openness and diversity make it an inspiring place to pursue comparative research on global governance across China, the United States, and Europe. Moreover, I have always been fascinated by European history and culture, which makes Berlin personally meaningful to me.

What fascinates you about your research area?

I’m fascinated by the tension between cooperation and competition in global governance. My research explores how states and private actors negotiate authority in a rapidly digitalizing world. It’s exciting to study how governance evolves when technology, power, and ideology intersect.

How will your research change the world?

My research contributes to a better understanding of how states and private actors can work together across systems. If we can learn from one another’s governance experiences, we can build a world where cooperation is not an exception but a norm.

What major short-term goal are you currently working towards with your research?

My current goal is to finalize a comparative framework that explains how China, the U.S., and Europe engage the private sector in global governance. I want to turn this framework into both an academic publication and a policy dialogue platform between different governance systems.

How did you become interested in your specific topic?

My interest in this topic grew out of my study and life experiences across different parts of the world. I noticed that the ways in which the private sector engages in governance vary widely from country to country, even as global governance faces mounting challenges. I also worked as an analyst at a leading technology company, which gave me firsthand insight into how private actors influence governance in practice.

What is your preferred way to communicate your research to the broader public or other specific sectors beyond academia? Where can we see, hear or read you next?

I believe research should reach beyond academia. I have contributed commentaries to platforms such as China Daily and think tank publications in both English and Chinese, making complex global issues more accessible. I’m currently working on a piece about how global governance can adapt to the age of AI and digital.

What did you want to be when you grow up?

As a child, I always wanted to be a zoologist—to study animals in the forests and savannas of Africa. It seems far from what I do today, but looking back, those dreams shared a common thread: curiosity about the world and a desire to make it better. That same curiosity still drives my research. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the late Dr. Jane Goodall, who has always been one of my greatest inspirations.

If you could have a radical career change for a week, what would it be?

If I could have a radical career change for a week, I’d like to be a wildlife photographer in Africa—spending my days observing animals and landscapes. It would combine my childhood dream of zoology with my lifelong passion for storytelling and understanding the world.

Rumour has it that nobody is perfect. Which skill or ability have you really had to work on in your career (or are you perhaps still working on)?

I’ve had to work hard on slowing down. In research, I tend to move quickly from idea to execution, but meaningful work often takes time—especially when it involves different cultures and systems. I’m still learning to balance efficiency with patience.

What is something surprising that people might not know about you?

I’m a traveler at heart. I’ve journeyed alone through nearly fifty countries, recording history, landscapes, and people with my own steps. Traveling allows me to observe and engage with different corners of the world — which, in many ways, is not so different from doing research.

What were some challenging or discouraging moments in your career?

Working on global governance sometimes means standing between competing narratives. Over time, I’ve learned that patience, openness, and honest dialogue are essential for building trust across different academic and cultural communities.

Who is the most interesting or inspiring person you have ever worked with?

One of the most inspiring people I’ve worked with is my mentor, Professor Cai Cuihong at Fudan University. She taught me that rigorous research and open-minded curiosity can coexist—and that good scholarship is not only about arguments, but also about empathy and responsibility toward the world we study.

Is there anyone else in the Berlin-Brandenburg area that you would love to collaborate with?

Berlin has such an inspiring research community that it’s hard to choose! Besides SCRIPTS, I’d particularly love to collaborate with colleagues at WZB, SWP, and the Hertie School on questions of digital governance and multilateralism. I believe our combined perspectives could offer new insights into how global cooperation evolves.

What would be the greatest professional achievement you could ever aspire to?

The greatest professional achievement I could ever aspire to would be contributing to a more balanced and inclusive framework of global governance—one that enables genuine dialogue between different political systems. If my research can help bridge understanding between China, Europe, and the United States, that would already mean a great deal to me. The world already has enough fractures; I hope my work, in some small way, can help to heal them.

What do you wish you’d done differently in your career until now?

I sometimes wish I had allowed myself to make mistakes more freely. Perfectionism can be productive, but it can also limit curiosity. Over time, I’ve realized that uncertainty is not the enemy of research—it’s often where discovery begins.

How does the academic culture in Berlin differ from the academic culture you are used to?

Compared to academic settings in China and the United States, which tend to emphasize efficiency and clear outcomes, Berlin encourages questioning, experimentation, and long-term thinking. It’s an environment that values reflection over speed, where curiosity, patience, and intellectual humility are allowed to grow.

Has Berlin had any surprises in store for you?

Berlin constantly surprises me with its mix of history and reinvention. It’s a city that remembers deeply yet moves forward fearlessly. Living and researching here feels like being part of an ongoing experiment in how societies learn from their past.

What would your advice be for colleagues at home interested in a research stay in Berlin?

Don’t just visit Berlin—live it. Spend time walking, listening, and observing. The city itself teaches you something about coexistence, contradiction, and creativity. If you approach your research with the same openness Berlin offers, you’ll gain far more than data or publications.