@Peterinexile, Swedish, based in Spain, was the Director of China Action based out of Beijing from 2009 to 2016. Prior to moving to China in 2007, Peter worked for the Swedish government with gender equality. Peter holds an M.A. in political science. Peter was the editor of "Trial By Media" and a contributor to "The People’s Republic of the Disappeared".

@LauraHarth, Belgian, based in Italy, is responsible for SD’s external activities, advocacy with national and multilateral institutions, and media engagement. Laura holds an M.A. in international law human rights. She also acts as Magnitsky Coordinator for the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) and serves on Hong Kong Watch’s Advisory Board.

Dinah Gardner, British, based in Taiwan, heads SD’s Taiwan office and is responsible for research outputs, and working with other staff in producing reports and investigations. Dinah holds two M.A. degrees, the most recent in Asia-Pacific studies from Taiwan’s National Chengchi University. She spent two decades working as a journalist in China and East Asia.

Zhang Zhiming, Chinese, administers SD’s work helping human rights defenders, including legal support, financial aid, medical rehabilitation, as well as planning local activities. Zhiming is a long-time rights defender who went into exile in 2015. Zhiming specializes in planning and carrying out field operations for local activities and risk management.

Marta Noval Felgueroso, Spanish, is responsible for SD’s administration, human resources- and grant management. She has a professional and academic background in the international development sector and project administration. In addition, she has experience in Myanmar-specific assistance to HRDs, and hate speech and disinformation detection.

Liu Piaopiao, Chinese. Liu assists local civil society groups develop localized projects and expand their on-the-ground efforts in some of the most challenging environments. He holds a degree in Human Rights and Asia-Pacific Studies. He has been actively involved in civil society movements in China since 2008, gaining experience managing local NGOs.

Fuji Chan, Hongkonger/Taiwanese, Researcher at Safeguard Defenders. Fuji holds an M.S. in political science and gender studies. Prior to joining SD, Fuji has worked as a sexual rights researcher/specialist in research institutes in the U.S. and Europe. Fuji specalises in people-centered approach in both research and advocacy work.

Liu Zhiqiang, Chinese, is a former lawyer and a long-time grassroots organizer. Liu's specialty is in working with "barefoot" lawyers, petitioners, and local rights defenders. Liu coordinates SDs' training and support work for local beneficiaries. Liu has worked extensively with China's fledging freedom of information (FOI) mechanism.

Wang Mang, Chinese, is a lawyer and former law professor. Wang specializes in criminal defense and courtroom procedures. Wang started as a teacher of law. More immediately prior to joining SD Wang was a practicing criminal defense attorney. Wang now coordinates our work to arrange legal defense for human rights defenders facing prosecution and persecution.

Wang Xiao, Chinese, is a former state media worker and journalist. Wang specializes in investigative journalism, news production and cyber-security. Before joining SD, Wang ran training programs for independent media in China, ranging from practical- to cyber-security for journalists. Wang now coordinates our safety work, and is a security consultant.

@ChenYenting4, Taiwanese, Research associate on transnational repression. Yen-ting is a former journalist and election campaigner specializing in investigative journalism and profile stories. He holds an M.A. in human rights from the University of York, where he researched on Uyghur activists' strategies. He now works specifically on Chinese long-arm policing. 

Nguyen Quoc, Vietnamese, spent close to a decade working for international human rights organizations, both inside Vietnam as well as in the greater East and Southeast Asia regions, in particular on issues related to local capacity development and cyber-security. He now runs our program on field safety in local operations for Vietnam’s civil society.

@Michaelcaster, American, based in Southeast Asia, was a co-founder of China Action. He holds an M.A. in law and diplomacy at Tufts University and an M.A. in conflict studies from the University of Utrecht. He edited the book "The People’s Republic of the Disappeared". Michael also heads up our program work in Vietnam and works as a consultant.