New CCA Fellows | Michael Hirson and Brendan Kelly Join the Center for China Analysis

The Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis (CCA) is pleased to announce the addition of two experts on Chinese economy and technology to its global network: Michael Hirson and Brendan Kelly.

Michael Hirson joins CCA as a Non-Resident Honorary Fellow on Chinese Economy and Technology. Mr. Hirson is also senior managing director and head of China research at 22V Research, an independent macro investment advisory firm based in New York. He joined the firm in 2022 from Eurasia Group, where he was practice head for China and Northeast Asia. In these roles, he has focused on the interplay between economics and politics in the Asia region and the U.S.-China relationship. Prior to his work in the private sector, Mr. Hirson was the U.S. Treasury Department’s chief representative in China from 2014 to 2016.

Brendan Kelly joins CCA as a Non-Resident Fellow on Chinese Economy and Technology. Mr. Kelly most recently served as director for China Economics on the National Security Council staff from June 2023 to July 2024, where he was responsible for coordinating U.S. government economic policy issues, technology controls, and engagement related to China. From 2018 to 2023, he served at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Previously, he served in several China and Asia-focused roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, including as Treasury Attache and Deputy Attache in Beijing from 2014 to 2018.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael and Brendan to the global CCA team,” says CCA Co-Founder and Managing Director Jing Qian. “Their extensive experience in both government and the private sector comes at a crucial time, especially with Beijing’s recent stimulus plans and policy shift. Their insights will greatly enhance CCA’s growing Economy and Technology pillar. We are committed to engaging the best talent in the field to deliver policy-relevant analysis on China, and there are no analysts better equipped to holistically assess the implications of Beijing’s policies on economic, social, and political fronts.”

Mr. Hirson and Mr. Kelly join other fellows in CCA’s already robust Economy and Technology pillar, which includes Senior Fellow Diana Choyleva, Senior Fellow Rick Waters, Senior Fellow Bert Hofman, and Fellow Lizzi C. Lee.

For more information on Mr. Hirson or Mr. Kelly, see their bios on the CCA website. Please direct media inquiries to [email protected].