In his talk, Mark Pinner will examine the Liang Hui to highlight how China watchers can analyze governmental events, and merge his talk with examples to shed light on the practice of public affairs in China.

Thursday, May 26, 7:30pm
“Analyst, Not Lobbyist: Examining the Chinese Two Sessions/Liang Hui”
Mark Pinner, Managing Director, Interel China
Beijing International Society
Embassy of Ireland | 60RMB, 30RMB Students

The profession of public affairs is frequently (mis)labelled as ‘lobbying’, conjuring negative stereotypes around the world. However, the reality is that the work of public affairs in China is often much more a mixture of analysis and insight. Observing the yearly ‘Liang Hui’ / ‘Two Sessions’ of the Chinese legislatures provides a good example of this. In his talk, Mark Pinner will examine the Liang Hui to highlight how China watchers can analyze governmental events, and merge his talk with examples to shed light on the practice of public affairs in China.

Mark Pinner is the Managing Director of the China office for Interel, an international consultancy specializing in public affairs and strategic communications. Starting with a spell at the UK Parliament, he has worked in a number of public affairs and other communications roles in London and Beijing for over 13 years, including a long stint at Chinese MNC Lenovo. Mark holds a Master’s degree in International Relations of East Asia and a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Sciences, both from Durham University in the UK. He lives in Beijing where he has resided for more than thirteen years since first coming to China in 2000. He speaks and reads Mandarin Chinese fluently.

This event is open to foreign passport holders only and is off-the-record. Advanced registration is not required.

Event information courtesy of Legation Quarter.