Mike Chinoy keynotes in Dubai Abu Dhabi

Mike Chinoy – Witness to History: A Journalist’s Journey Through Asia’s Defining Moments

Author, filmmaker, political analyst, and public speaker Mike Chinoy is a Non-Resident Scholar at the 21st Century China Center at the University of California, San Diego and Consulting Editor of the Taiwan Strait Risk Report, a monthly newsletter assessing the risks of conflict over the Taiwan issue. Before joining the 21st Century China Center in 2024, Chinoy was a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the University of Southern California’s U.S.-China Institute. Prior to that, spent 24 years as a foreign correspondent for CNN. He was the network’s first Bureau Chief in Beijing and served as Bureau Chief in Hong Kong and as Senior Asia Correspondent. He reported on most of the key events in Asia since the 1970s, including the death of Mao Zedong, the rise of China, the Tiananmen Square crackdown, the Hong Kong handover, the Soviet and U.S. wars in Afghanistan, the Southeast Asian tsunami, elections and political crises in India, Pakistan, South Korea and Taiwan, and developments in North Korea, which he has visited 17 times. He also covered the conflicts in Lebanon, Chad, and Northern Ireland, and the first Gulf War.

After leaving CNN, Chinoy was a Senior Fellow at the Los Angeles-based Pacific Council on International Policy, focusing on security issues in North Korea, China, and Northeast Asia.

Chinoy has received numerous awards for his journalism, including the Emmy, Peabody, ACE, and Dupont awards. He holds a BA from Yale University and an MS from Columbia University.

Notable Achievements

  • Award-Winning Coverage: Chinoy’s reporting on the 1989 Tiananmen Square crisis earned him prestigious accolades, including Emmy, Peabody, and Dupont Awards. He also received a Dupont Award for his coverage of the 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami
  • Extensive Reporting in North Korea: With 17 visits to North Korea since 1989, Chinoy has provided unparalleled insights into the reclusive nation. He was the sole journalist to accompany former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on his historic trip to Pyongyang in 1994.
  • Authorship: Chinoy has authored several influential books, including « China Live: People Power and the Television Revolution, » « Meltdown: The Inside Story of the North Korean Nuclear Crisis, » and « Assignment China: An Oral History of American Journalists in the People’s Republic. »

Language spoken by the keynote speaker:

  • English

Key Themes & Expertise

Mike Chinoy’s work delves into critical themes such as:​

 Evolution of Media in China: Exploring the challenges and transformations faced by foreign correspondents in China over the decades.

North Korea’s Political Landscape: Providing firsthand accounts and analyses of North Korea’s internal dynamics and its interactions with the global community

Asia-Pacific Geopolitics: Assessing the broader geopolitical shifts in the Asia-Pacific region and their global implications. ​

Why His Keynote Matters

Mike Chinoy’s keynote addresses offer audiences a rare blend of on-the-ground reporting experience and deep analytical insights into Asia’s geopolitical landscape. His firsthand accounts of historical events, combined with his understanding of current affairs, provide valuable perspectives for policymakers, scholars, and the general public.

Mike Chinoy Keynotes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

International Journalism
Crisis Reporting
Asia-Pacific Geopolitics
North Korea Relations​

Assignment China: Journalists in the People's Republic with Mike Chinoy