International think tank Clingendael warmly welcomes Ingrid d’Hooghe as interim coordinator of the Clingendael China Centre. D’Hooghe will lead the Clingendael China Centre from 1 September 2022 till the end of 2023. She succeeds Frans-Paul van der Putten, who co-founded the knowledge hub on China and its geopolitical position in 2019 and has led it since. ‘The question how we should relate to China becomes increasingly urgent and complex, both on a national and a European level’, says d’Hooghe.

Dr. Ingrid d’Hooghe and the Clingendael Institute have had a working relationship since 2001. She is currently a Senior Research Associate on China’s relations and foreign policy. Her Clingendael report on China’s influence on the Dutch education system (Dutch) led to parliamentary questions[1] and press reports[2]. She is also researcher and policy advisor on China’s foreign policy and diplomacy, and Europe-China science and technology collaboration at the Leiden Asia Centre.

D’Hooghe graduated from Leiden University in the Netherlands, with a degree in Sinology, and studied Modern Chinese at Fudan University in Shanghai. She obtained a PhD in social sciences regarding China's Public Diplomacy from the University of Antwerp. With her strong track record, Clingendael considers d’Hooghe a perfect fit for the vacancy left by Dr. Frans-Paul van der Putten.

For an increasing number of policy makers and businessmen in the Netherlands and abroad, Clingendael is the go-to place for China related questions ‘Politics, businesses, but also research institutes are facing important strategic choices in their relationship and partnership with China’, d’Hooghe states. ‘In search of answers, you have to consider contradictory interests and points of view. You need an independent hub to gather knowledge and experience from various sectors that have ties with China, in order to assess independent and strategic policy choices regarding China that are called for. Furthermore you need to facilitate a public debate about it, both on a national and a European level. The Clingendael China Centre is well equipped to play a significant role in these areas. I look forward to strengthening its position.’

Van der Putten leaves Clingendael after a 15-year tenure, but will remain Senior Associate Researcher to the institute. He will also start his own business as an independent consultant on China and geopolitics. Van der Putten is happy with d’Hooghe’s appointment. ‘Clingendael China Centre will be in good hands. Ingrid brings her broad experience as China researcher and she knows the Clingendael Institute very well.’

Click here for more on Clingendael China Centre. Subscribe to our China Centre Updates to receive our latest publications and event invitations