Press release
1 min read

Leadership change at MERICS

From 1 February 2020 onwards, Mikko Huotari and Bettina Bubnys will be at the helm of the Mercator Institute for China Studies. Huotari will be Director of the think tank and Bubnys remains CFO. Together with the strong MERICS team, the two experienced professionals intend to drive forward the Europeanization and development of the institute, as was announced by Stiftung Mercator and MERICS today.

Bettina Bubnys & Mikko Huotari

Michael Schwarz, Executive Director of Stiftung Mercator, said: "Ever since its foundation, MERICS has made a name for itself with in-depth analyses of current developments in China, assessments that contributed to public discussions, and advice provided to decision makers in politics and business. Mikko Huotari and Bettina Bubnys are fully behind this mission and will lead MERICS through challenging times."

Frank N. Pieke, Research Director and CEO of the Mercator Institute for China Studies, is resigning from his position at the end of January 2020 due to differences in opinion about the strategic development of MERICS. Michael Schwarz said: „Stiftung Mercator is very grateful to Frank Pieke and appreciates his efforts as Director of MERICS.“

For more information about Stiftung Mercator and the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), please visit:

If you have any questions, please contact:

Kerstin Lohse-Friedrich
Director of Communications, MERICS

Tel.: +49 30-3440 999-10
Mob. +49-151 5115 9903
[email protected]

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