The NexGen Global Forum is a Beijing-based research organization founded by the inaugural cohort of the Tsinghua-Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) Dual Degree Master’s Program in Global Politics and Economics. Click here to see all other cohorts.
Dantong Xie
Dantong Xie graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University with a bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy. During her undergraduate studies, she received honors and awards such as the First-Class Scholarship at the university level, the Student Award of Merit, and Excellent Officer of the Student Union. Dantong has interned and conducted research at institutions including the Tsinghua University Data and Computing Laboratory (DCL), the Chenghai Global Development and Security Advanced Institute, Renmin University, the Intellisia Institute, and the Beijing International Exchange Association. She has also participated in the United Nations Youth Engagement in International Affairs project, working on policy analysis, international security strategy research, think tank report writing, and international project preparation. Her research interests include the African region, the Global South, and international development.
Xiyan Chen
Xiyan Chen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Diplomacy from the China Foreign Affairs University. During her undergraduate studies, she won multiple national and provincial awards in the FLTRP·ETIC Cup English Debating and Reading Competitions. Her undergraduate thesis on conflict mediation and artificial intelligence was recognized as an Outstanding Graduation Thesis by the China Foreign Affairs University. In addition, she has a strong interest in conflict mediation, quantitative research, and the politics of technology.
Xiyan completed an internship at the Peking University Institute of Global Cooperation and Understanding, where she assisted in organizing global and national think tank conferences, and participated in research projects on smart cities and space infrastructure construction. Through this experience, she blended her knowledge of industrial economics and international relations, further building her interdisciplinary research capabilities. As the project lead for the Chinese Civilization and Youth Diplomacy initiative under the Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League, she explored pathways to disseminate traditional Chinese culture through public diplomacy. This experience deepened her interest in engaging in international exchanges. Outside of school, Xiyan enjoys learning about astronomy and Chinese traditional music.
Yuehan Qiao
Yuehan Qiao graduated from Hohai University with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. During his bachelors, he focused on quantitative research and obtained two patents with his team. He also researched issues related to the Belt and Road Initiative from an engineering perspective, supplementing his later internship at the Capacity Planning Department of the International Cooperation Center where he assisted in organizing the China-Saudi Arabia International Cooperation Conference.
Yuehan has already completed one year of studies in the field of International Political Economy at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), with internships and work experience in think tanks, private equity funds, and the energy sector. These experiences helped him accumulate solid analytical and practical skills, and enhanced his ability to write quantitative code. During his summer vacation, he interned at the Development and Planning Department of State Grid International Development, where he led a capacity analysis report for an energy company. There, he also collaborated with his team on conducting investigations and analyzed the prospects of European energy investment.
At Tsinghua, Yuehan is researching exchange rate issues in the field of international economics, and is currently writing a paper on an exchange rate forecasting model incorporating Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) analysis. His research and focus areas include: international economy and finance, global energy and climate governance, and international development cooperation.
Zhanhao Zhang
Zhanhao Zhang graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Arts in Business, Economics, and Philosophy, consecutively placing on the Dean’s List during his time at UCLA. He has also participated in an academic exchange at the University College of London (UCL). During his undergraduate studies, Zhanhao engaged in entrepreneurship and technology innovation initiatives. As Co-President of the Global Entrepreneurship Society at UCLA, he organized and hosted events featuring leading founders and investors from the technology sector, fostering dialogue between students and industry pioneers.
Zhanhao is currently pursuing further studies at Tsinghua University, where his research examines strategic competition, trade disputes, and the technological rivalry between China and the United States. Beyond academics, he serves as Department Lead of the Artificial Intelligence and Smart Hardware Division within the Tsinghua University Entrepreneurship Association, and as Vice President of the Tsinghua Low-Altitude Economy Association, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in emerging industries. In his free time, he enjoys drinking coffee, strolling in the park, and exploring the nooks and crannies of the city.
Xiaoya Su
Xiaoya Su graduated from the Central University of Finance and Economics with a Bachelor of Arts in Translation, specializing in finance and economics. During her undergraduate studies, she received multiple university-level honors, and she also led and participated in two Beijing Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Projects.
Throughout her internships, Xiaoya focused mainly on sustainable development: conducting in-depth research on green finance, ESG and international economic cooperation. She was a research assistant at the International Institute of Green Finance (CUFE), the Earth Institute of Columbia University, and the Belt and Road Initiate Strategy Research Institute of Tsinghua University, contributing to projects such as the Blue Book of Sustainable Development: Evaluation Report on the Sustainable Development of China and The Relationship between Global Governance and The Belt and Road Initiative under Centennial Change. She also interned at the International Economics and Finance Center of the Ministry of Finance and the Development Research Center of the State Council and China Development Bank. Additionally, Xiaoya served as a volunteer at the Global Forum of Finance and Economics and the Global Energy Transition Forum.
Xiaoya’s research interests lie in the junctions of sustainable development, energy and climate governance, and green finance. Currently, she is a team leader of the Convergence Media Center of the Graduate Student Association and an active member of the Publicity Department of the Graduate Youth League.
Zhengxuan Chen
Zhengxuan Chen received his bachelor’s degree from Sun Yat-sen University’s School of International Relations, majoring in International Politics with a minor in History. He received multiple University-Level Scholarships with honours such as Outstanding Communist Youth League Member and Outstanding Student Leader.
In terms of academic research, Zhengxuan participated in an exchange program in Taiwan, supported by a University Special Fund for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Academic Exchange. He also served as a research assistant for the National Social Science Fund of China, where he developed and gained extensive experience in cross-regional research. In addition, he has broadened his international academic perspective by completing courses offered by several world-leading universities.
As Head of the Liaison Department of the Sun Yat-sen University Student Union, Zhengxuan was responsible for the coordinating and planning of large-scale university events, such as the 49th Sun Yat-sen University Student Congress. Zhengxuan has also accumulated extensive experience in international affairs and public policy, undertaking internships at the United Nations, a Provincial People’s Government Foreign Affairs Office, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and the Information Center of the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC Information Center). During these internships, he was involved in policy research, external liaison, and international cooperation projects.
Beyond academics and professional development, Zhengxuan has a wide range of interests and likes to be active. He enjoys badminton, swimming, singing, and musical theatre, which contribute to his positive, proactive, mindset and creative spirit.
Zeyu Zheng
Zeyu Zheng graduated with a Bachelor of Law from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), majoring in Diplomacy with a minor in Law. He was also a visiting student at the Hague Academy of International Law. During his undergraduate studies, he was the recipient of multiple honors such as Beijing Outstanding Graduate, BFSU Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis, BFSU First-Class Scholarship, BFSU Student Award of Merit, and BFSU Social Work Award, alongside winning ten professional competition awards.
As an undergraduate, he presided over a research project funded by the Central University Basic Research Fund, researching the cyclical nature of US foreign policy. He was also responsible for a sub-project under the Beijing 15th Five-Year Plan, analyzing and constructing Beijing’s policies for attracting foreign talents. As a participant in two of China’s National Social Science Fund projects, he explored the decision-making mechanisms of the US National Security Council. His personal academic work has, to date, been presented at over ten International Relations academic forums and bestowed numerous awards.
Zeyu has also completed internships at the National Development and Reform Commission of the International Cooperation Center, the China Education Association for International Exchange at the Ministry of Education, a subsidiary unit of the International Department under the CPC Central Committee, and a local foreign affairs office. He aided in the organization of major national diplomatic events such as the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Sino-African Think Tank Forum, and the Sino-African Economic and Trade Forum. On campus, he served as the director of the Academic Department of the Student Union, organizing flagship events such as the Undergraduate Academic Forum and the Diplomatic Star Talent Competition.
Currently, Zeyu is pursuing a Master of Laws in International Relations at Tsinghua University, with research interests including IR theory, US foreign policy, and international law. He is a Strategic Youth member in the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Tsinghua University, and a participant in the Tsinghua Duxing Program.
Fangjie Luo
Fangjie Luo graduated from the School of Economics and Management at Beijing Jiaotong University in 2025, majoring in Finance. During her time in undergrad, she received multiple honors such as the Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Social Work Excellence Scholarship, and was awarded titles including Outstanding League Cadre and Party Member Backbone. In terms of practical experience, she interned at Bank of China, CITIC Securities, Boshi Fund, JunHe LLP, and the Development Research Center of the State Council. During her internship at the Investment Department of CITIC Securities, she researched and conducted due diligence on new energy vehicle and sensor industries.
While interning at the Overseas Policy Group of the Research Department of CITIC Securities, she analyzed the potential impacts of the US election results and China-US tariff policies. She also assisted in completing four research reports on issues such as the global bond market during wartime and the political risk assessment of Chinese companies entering Central and Eastern Europe. In the fields of scientific research and innovation, she was a research assistant for a study on heterogeneous firms and international trade at the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, assisting in the development of a tariff exposure index and panel data model regression analysis.
As one of the core leaders of the Nitrogen Energy Power project, she promoted the industrial application of fuel cells and water quality monitoring platforms, winning the National Silver Award in the China International College Students Innovation Competition alongside more than ten provincial and ministerial-level honors, including the Beijing Top 100 Entrepreneurship Team. Fangjie is active participant and leader in student affairs, serving as the class president and deputy secretary of the Party Branch during her undergraduate studies, leading her class to be awarded the Five-Star Youth League Branch and the Pioneer Cup Youth League Branch. Her research interests mainly focuses on China-US relations and international economics and finance.
Jiasheng Huang
Jiasheng Huang graduated from Peking University’s School of Foreign Languages and the School of International Studies with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Bachelor of Laws in International Organizations and Public Policy, respectively. She was honored as an Outstanding Graduate of Beijing Municipality and received awards such as the Meritorious Student Award and the Peking University Scholarship.
During her undergraduate studies, Jiasheng participated in an exchange program at the Pompeu Fabra University in Spain and was selected for the PKU-UChicago Summer School 2023 with a full scholarship. She is fluent in English and Spanish, possessing extensive cross-cultural communication experience, and has built a solid foundation in Latin American studies through internships at the Connected Universal Experience Labs and Peking University Lanyuan Centre. She has interned at both Chinese and international NGOs and consulting firms, including the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) and the US-based Landesa. She participated in the translation of project documents for WorldFAIR: Global cooperation on FAIR data policy and practice project, analyzing forestry climate commitments and implementation across G20 and Nordic nations. Jiasheng represented her organization at the 10th Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). She also has a decade of experience in organizing Model United Nations conferences and teaching, and represented Peking University at the 2022 Belgrade World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC).
Currently, Jiasheng is looking at Chinese corporate investment, development in Latin America, and global sustainability. She is also interested in international organizations and negotiations, an insight she gained while interning at the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development of Tsinghua University. In her free time, she enjoys solo trips, watching sunrises and sunsets, photography, and playing softball.
Xin Zhong
Xin Zhong received her bachelor’s degree at Tsinghua University in 2025, with a major in English and a minor in Economics and Finance. During her undergraduate years, she received honors and awards such as Outstanding Student Leader at Tsinghua University.
During her undergrad, Xin led her team to Kenya to investigate the development of Chinese-funded enterprises and promoted Sino-African youth dialogues on global issues like poverty reduction. As President of the Student Association of International and Strategic Studies, she coordinated and organized over 30 lectures, which covered various topics related to global affairs and diplomatic policies. Under her tenure, the association was awarded Best Academic Research Student Association by Tsinghua University. She has also worked for the Center for Global Competence Development and the Cyrus Tang Center for Student Global Development at Tsinghua University, involved in constructing an international organization platform and furthering the capacity for talent cultivation and development.
Xin has also interned at the Foreign Affairs Office of Nanjing Municipal Government, where she organized conferences for incoming Latin American ambassadors, and served as the interpreter for the Dominican Consul General in Shanghai during his visit to Nanjing. She was also a Secretary Assistant at the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations, responsible for member coordination and social media operations. At the Center for Strategic and Security Studies (CISS) at Tsinghua University, she served as a research assistant under the US Studies group. Outside of the public sector, she also has intern experiences at private equity funds and enterprise incubators.
Xin currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of CCYL THU Committee, and continues to devote her time and passion to the Student Association of International and Strategic Studies as President. Additionally, she is interning at the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University. Her research interests include China’s relations with developing countries and international organizations.
Chenxuan Huang
Chenxuan Huang graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature from Tsinghua University.
His insights and research interests began when Chenxuan was enrolled in a student trip to the United States. Through onsite exchanges and first-hand experiences, he developed a strong interest in the past and present of China-US relations. After the trip, Chenxuan co-founded the China-US People-to-People Exchange Association at Tsinghua University, where he co-organized and participated in numerous dialogues between American students and young scholars. Chenxuan also serves as Youth Secretariat at the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS), where he participated in the youth panel of the 6th International Forum on Security and Strategy. Chenxuan is keen on international cooperation: as an intern in the Mobility and Cities Team of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), he strove to embody a comprehensive global perspective not just limited to China and the US.
Currently, Chenxuan focuses on the limited retrenchment of great powers. He is also building up his knowledge of Cold War history. In the meantime, he keeps tracing China-US relations from a micro level, such as the impact of public opinion in both countries on the current and future relations between the two countries.
Rui Zhou
Rui Zhou is a graduate of the Law School of Hunan Normal University with a major in Law. During her time in undergrad, she was the recipient of numerous awards and titiles including the university’s Comprehensive Scholarship multiple times, the Outstanding Communist Youth League Member of Changsha City and Advanced Individual in Innovation & Entrepreneurship of May 4th.
In the academic field, she has published several papers in CSSCI and core law journals. At the National College Students’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, she led her team to obtain a national-level entrepreneurship training project where she focused on rural revitalization and the construction of legal service platforms in rural areas. Rui was also actively involved in public volunteer services, assisting in handling legal aid cases at the Changsha Public Legal Service Center and promoting the implementation of the Legal Aid in Prisons public welfare project. To further broaden her horizon and capabilities, she volunteered in major international conferences such as the China International Import Expo and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation,
In the summer of 2024, she interned at the headquarters of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), participating in the 65th Member States Conference, undertaking translation and policy analysis work, and contributing to the writing of the special research report on Patents and Sustainable Development Goals. With the Tsinghua Global Youth Dialogue project, she was a youth representative to the Secretary-General of ASEAN.
Currently, Rui is pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations at Tsinghua University, with a research in the field of Sino-African economic and trade cooperation, and is committed to continuous exploration and contribution in global governance and cross-cultural legal exchanges.
Wengin Wan
Wengin Wan graduated from the School of Public Administration at Renmin University of China with a double major in Administrative Management and Law. She also participated in an exchange program at the University of Hong Kong. She was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate of Beijing and received the Baosteel Excellent Student Award, as well as multiple honors such as Outstanding Student Leader and the Academic Excellence Scholarship.
Academically, she integrates theoretical research with policy practice, having participated in the National College Student Innovation Training Program to study the development path of Weihai, Shandong’s Refined City initiative. As a research assistant with the National Social Science Fund, she constructed a long-term care insurance policy database. She also aided in the making of the joint social policy consultancy project between the University of Hong Kong and the University of Birmingham, conducting comparative research on the prison reform systems in Birmingham, UK. Drawing on Hong Kong’s experience, she formulated institutional improvement recommendations and authored policy reports, gaining extensive empirical analysis expertise. Wengin has also interned at institutions including the Institute of Advanced Social Sciences at Renmin University of China and the Macau Development Strategy Research Centre, engaging in policy research, regional governance studies, and analysis of livelihood issues.
Her research interests include the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global South, and regional governance cooperation. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, singing, and baking.
Grace Chen
Grace Chen is a current first-year student in the Tsinghua-Johns Hopkins SAIS dual Master’s degree program. She graduated from the University of British Columbia, majoring in Honors Sociology and minoring in Urban Studies.
Her academic pursuits sit at the intersection of the geographical and the social. She conducted her honors thesis on community engagement in Vancouver’s Chinatown, evaluating the dilemma between growing digitalization and looming physical threats to the neighbourhood. As an undergraduate research assistant to Dr. Elvin Wyly, she constructed a statistics database to analyze the relationships of dissemination areas in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and understand how geographical space underscores identity and community. She was also the recipient of the Walter G. Hardwick Scholarship in Urban Studies in 2024.
In 2022, she interned for Transport Canada with the Centre of Expertise, gathering data and information to better streamline the national application and approval process for transportation projects. There, she also aided the development of the department’s memorandum for the Minister of Transport. She also served as a scholar with UBC’s Office of Regional and International Community Engagement, leading a team of five and working in tandem with the Kamili Organisation to develop a toolkit and evaluation model for their mental health training program. With her team, an evaluation of both Kamili and Kenyan mental health policies and existing infrastructure was produced to potentially scale Kamili’s program to the national level, in an effort to make mental health care more affordable and accessible in Kenya.
Her research interests include digitalization, technological and social development, and the intersections of it all. Outside of school, you’ll find her adding yet another book to her to-read list, fully immersing herself in the grocery shopping experience, or at the gym trying out a new routine. She’s also trying to learn French, though she’s doing a rather bad job of it.
Bryson Christopher Frank
Bryson Frank graduated from Abilene Christian University (ACU) with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with Minors in Spanish, Public Service, Latin American Studies, and Global Studies. Throughout his undergraduate career, Bryson accumulated multiple university awards, such as the Trustees Student Award and University Scholar.
Bryson’s undergraduate career centered around competitions, internships, and research. Throughout his time at ACU, Bryson competed with and became the captain of the university’s Debate Team. His accomplishments include becoming a seven-time national champion, winning the Tournament of Champions, and helping his teammates secure other national titles for the university. He also received the Delegate’s Award at the Eastwest European Institute’s Model United Nations Conference in New York City. Outside of competitions, he served as a Senator in the Student Government Association, led a class of first-year students, filmed content for the Study Abroad Office, and held a public memorial for World War I veterans. Bryson was also offered the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Uruguay and teach English. Across the past four years, he has worked for the Embassy of Peru, his Congressman, various courts, and an immigration law firm. Finally, Bryson is a published researcher, whose work awarded him a summer to learn in the Netherlands.
At Tsinghua University, Bryson has continued his love for Latin America, debate, and cultural exchange. He currently serves as the President of Tsinghua’s English Debate Association, and is on the core teams of Tsinghua Shuō and the Latin American Student Organization (LASO). Outside of clubs, Bryson is focused on Sino-Latin American relations. He is especially interested in development projects, joint counter-narcotic operations, and the competition between China and the United States in the region. In his free time, he enjoys finding new artists on Spotify, reading, and playing fighting games.