Xingdong Chen, Managing Director and Chief China Economist, Head of Global Market Research (China), BNP Paribas (CHN)

Xingdong Chen, born in Sept 1960, graduated from Peking University with Bachelor and Master Degree in Economics in 1983 and 1985, respectively, and trained on macroeconomics (theory, policy and practices) in Oxford University as a visiting postgraduate in 1986-1988.

Mr. Chen has worked in the investment banking for more than 28 years, starting with Crosby (later changed to Socgen-Crosby) Securities Limited in Sept 1993 as a senior economist and Chief Economist. He joined Peregrine Investment Group in 1997 as the Chief Economist and Managing Director of Peregrine Securities Ltd. and Executive Deputy General Manager of Peregrine Investment Consulting Co. Peregrine was taken over by BNP Paribas Group in Feb 1998. Since then until now, he worked as the Managing Director, Chief China Economist, Chief Representative of BNP Paribas Equities Beijing Rep Office, head of GM Macroeconomic Research, head of GM Research and member of GM Research Exco.

Dr. Geoff Raby AO, Australian Ambassador to China 2007-2011; Independent Company Director, Chairman, Geoff Raby & Associates (CHN)

Geoff Raby was Australia’s Ambassador to China from 2007-11, during which he visited all provinces in China officially.  He served in Beijing as First Secretary (Economic) and then Counsellor (Economic), 1986-91.  He was Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva, Ambassador to APEC, and Deputy Secretary, 2003-07.  His most recent book is China’s Grand Strategy and Australia’s Future in the World Order (MUP Nov 2020). He contributes op eds and travel writing to the Australian Financial Review.  He holds a PhD in economics. He was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) in June 2019.

Allan Behm, Director, International and Security Affairs Program, The Australia Institute

Allan Behm specialises in political and security risk evaluation, policy analysis and development, strategic planning and negotiating the policy/politics interface.

In government, he worked in a variety of diplomatic, counter-terrorism and national security roles. He was Chief of Staff to a federal Minister, and subsequently senior advisor to the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.

He has a substantial publishing record, including No, Minister published by Melbourne University Publishing in 2015. It stands as a “go to” text on leadership, political management, policy development and reform.

He directs the International and Security Affairs program at The Australia Institute in Canberra.