Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, North East Asia Please submit all media inquiries to mkovrig@crisisgroup.org Crisis Group Role Michael Kovrig joined Crisis Group in February 2017. As Senior Adviser for North East Asia he conducts research and provides analysis on foreign affairs and global security issues in North East Asia, particularly on China, Japan and the Korean peninsula. Areas of Expertise China South China Sea North East Asia Security United Nations Global Governance Multilateral Diplomacy Professional Background Michael Kovrig has previously worked as a Canadian diplomat in Beijing, Hong Kong and at the UN in New York, as a communication specialist at UNDP and a China analyst at Rhodium Group. A Mandarin Chinese speaker, Michael has a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University. Languages English French Mandarin Chinese In The News 26 Feb 2018 [China's leader Xi Jinping could build on a centralised party-state system]. Whether that is good for the world depends on whether [he] makes the right decisions. South China Morning Post Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, North East Asia 23 Jan 2018 A deal whereby Pyongyang freezes its most sensitive tests and Washington freezes some military exercises could help de-escalate the crisis and buy time for diplomacy. South China Morning Post Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, North East Asia 12 Dec 2017 [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] sees there is a strategic opportunity of Donald Trump having taken America in a different direction and seeing that void, that has led him to ramp up that policy further. Bloomberg Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, North East Asia 1 Dec 2017 Beijing is probably worried that applying sanctions too strictly could destabilize North Korea and doesn't want to take that risk. CNBC Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, North East Asia 22 Sep 2017 China is implementing the sanctions [on North Korea] with unprecedented rigor and determination. But does that mean everything is being followed through completely? Not necessarily. The Washington Post Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, North East Asia 12 Sep 2017 China views its agreement with the new [UN] sanctions [against North Korea] as a favour to the U.S. and will now expect something in return. Financial Times Michael Kovrig Senior Adviser, North East Asia Latest Updates Op-Ed / Asia 13 May 2018 How A Long-awaited Hotline Could Pave the Way For Calmer China-Japan Relations Japan and China should use a new maritime and aerial communication mechanism to manage disputes with professionalism, dialogue and diplomacy. Originally published in South China Morning Post Also available in 简体中文 Op-Ed / Asia 11 April 2018 Why China Should Help Solve Venezuela’s Deepening Crisis Originally published in Asia Times Also available in 简体中文 Commentary / Asia 30 March 2018 China Moves Centre Stage in Korean Peninsula Peace Efforts After weeks in which other actors have taken notable steps towards defusing fears of war over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile program, a China-North Korea summit held 26-27 March in Beijing has reasserted China’s pivotal role in efforts to find a solution to the nuclear crisis. Also available in 简体中文 Op-Ed / Asia 26 November 2017 The Future is Now for China’s Challenges and Xi Jinping’s Ambitions China’s president has set out an era-shaping agenda along economic, security and institutional arcs. Originally published in South China Morning Post Commentary / Asia 2 October 2017 The Twists and Turns along China’s Belt and Road China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative could potentially transform relations with over 60 countries across Eurasia, Africa and beyond. But to bring the concept to fruition, Beijing must overcome mammoth logistical obstacles, navigate fragile political situations and placate growing regional apprehension surrounding its ambitions. Also available in 简体中文 Load more