Team
Spread across Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, we bring together backgrounds spanning large companies, startups, embassies, museums, and academia. Our daily work in the local innovation ecosystems is grounded by the cultural life of the cities we work in.
Tim Hofer
Tim is responsible for how the office positions its work at the intersection of science, research, innovation, and policy. He manages the communications strategy across Switzerland and China, maintains a portfolio of strategic partnerships across different ecosystems, and translates developments in China's innovation landscape into insights for Swiss stakeholders.
Tim brings deep expertise in China-focused policy analysis and diplomacy. Most recently, he served as Political Officer at the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing. Earlier, he worked as a policy analyst at Trivium China in London, monitoring regulatory developments for multinational clients. He holds an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics, a BA in Political Science with a Minor in China Studies from the University of Zurich, and has spent a year of his undergrad at Sichuan University in Chengdu.
Tim brings deep expertise in China-focused policy analysis and diplomacy. Most recently, he served as Political Officer at the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing. Earlier, he worked as a policy analyst at Trivium China in London, monitoring regulatory developments for multinational clients. He holds an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics, a BA in Political Science with a Minor in China Studies from the University of Zurich, and has spent a year of his undergrad at Sichuan University in Chengdu.
Aijing Cao
Aijing leads programs that advance collaboration between Swiss and Chinese academic, scientific, and creative communities. She oversees sabbatical research programs and interdisciplinary initiatives, guiding them from concept to realization and identifying synergies among stakeholders that turn ideas into lasting partnerships.
Aijing first joined Swissnex in China in 2021 as a Junior Project Manager across the Art-Science and Innovation teams, before completing her Master's in International Affairs at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Her international background includes internships at the International Telecommunication Union and WIPO in Geneva, where she built a foundation in multilateral cooperation and stakeholder engagement within diplomatic environments.
Aijing first joined Swissnex in China in 2021 as a Junior Project Manager across the Art-Science and Innovation teams, before completing her Master's in International Affairs at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Her international background includes internships at the International Telecommunication Union and WIPO in Geneva, where she built a foundation in multilateral cooperation and stakeholder engagement within diplomatic environments.
Qianqian Su
Su guides Swiss startups through one of the world's most dynamic innovation landscapes and connects companies with local ecosystems to turn emerging trends into action. Her work bridges the Swiss and Chinese innovation communities, creating the conditions for meaningful exchanges.
A scientist by training, Su holds a B.S. in Forestry, an M.S. in Ecology, and a Ph.D. in Climate Change. That analytical grounding shapes how she reads complex systems, spots opportunities, and moves between the worlds of research, startups, and corporate innovation.
A scientist by training, Su holds a B.S. in Forestry, an M.S. in Ecology, and a Ph.D. in Climate Change. That analytical grounding shapes how she reads complex systems, spots opportunities, and moves between the worlds of research, startups, and corporate innovation.
Yao Ding
Yao Ding is the backbone of the office's day-to-day functions. She oversees internal processes, administrative operations, and logistics, making sure the team can deliver.
With over six years of experience in international diplomatic environments, Yao brings expertise across administrative management, trade promotion, cultural programming, and public affairs. She holds a Master's degree in French Language and Literature from Shanghai International Studies University and a Certificate of Political Studies from Sciences Po Lyon, an academic path that sharpened her cross-cultural perspective and multilingual fluency in Chinese, English, and French.
With over six years of experience in international diplomatic environments, Yao brings expertise across administrative management, trade promotion, cultural programming, and public affairs. She holds a Master's degree in French Language and Literature from Shanghai International Studies University and a Certificate of Political Studies from Sciences Po Lyon, an academic path that sharpened her cross-cultural perspective and multilingual fluency in Chinese, English, and French.
Yi Qin (Jasmine)
Jasmine oversees the financial operations of Swissnex in China. She manages payment processes, budget forecasting, and financial reporting, bringing rigor and precision to every stage of the office's financial life.
Han Han (Hannah)
Hannah is in charge of visual design and shapes communications across the office's projects and initiatives. She develops content and manages media channels to connect Swiss and Chinese audiences.
Hannah brings a background that spans art media, museum operations, and digital strategy. Before joining Swissnex, she served as New Media Director at a major art museum in Beijing, where she led the marketing for exhibitions. Prior to that, she worked as a columnist and contributor at Harper's Bazaar Art China. She holds an MA in Contemporary Art Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a BA in Visual Communication from the Communication University of China.
Hannah brings a background that spans art media, museum operations, and digital strategy. Before joining Swissnex, she served as New Media Director at a major art museum in Beijing, where she led the marketing for exhibitions. Prior to that, she worked as a columnist and contributor at Harper's Bazaar Art China. She holds an MA in Contemporary Art Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a BA in Visual Communication from the Communication University of China.
Yaqin Zhang
Yaqin helps innovators, researchers, and organizations navigate new contexts and build meaningful partnerships. Her work has ranged from AI deployment in insurance to battery manufacturing, and she is happiest connecting unlikely conversations, learning something entirely new, and figuring out how different worlds fit together.
A proud alumna of Asia Society, Yale-NUS College, Claremont McKenna College, ETH Zurich, and the Geneva Graduate Institute, Yaqin's background spans philosophy, medical anthropology, and data science. Having lived and worked across China, Singapore, the United States, and Switzerland, she remains curious about how knowledge travels and transforms.
A proud alumna of Asia Society, Yale-NUS College, Claremont McKenna College, ETH Zurich, and the Geneva Graduate Institute, Yaqin's background spans philosophy, medical anthropology, and data science. Having lived and worked across China, Singapore, the United States, and Switzerland, she remains curious about how knowledge travels and transforms.
Sidney Burkard
Sidney supports program development and outreach initiatives that strengthen connections between the Swiss and Chinese research and innovation ecosystems.
Sidney brings two years of consulting experience from Deloitte, where he advised clients on technology and life sciences. He holds a Business Administration degree from the University of St. Gallen, with exchange semesters in Singapore and Taipei. Alongside his studies, he worked for a biotech startup in Singapore and served on the executive board of the Asia Club at the University of St. Gallen. He speaks fluent Chinese, shaped by two years of full-immersion study in Kunming and Qingdao, and was named vice-champion of the Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition in Switzerland in 2024.
Sidney brings two years of consulting experience from Deloitte, where he advised clients on technology and life sciences. He holds a Business Administration degree from the University of St. Gallen, with exchange semesters in Singapore and Taipei. Alongside his studies, he worked for a biotech startup in Singapore and served on the executive board of the Asia Club at the University of St. Gallen. He speaks fluent Chinese, shaped by two years of full-immersion study in Kunming and Qingdao, and was named vice-champion of the Chinese Bridge Proficiency Competition in Switzerland in 2024.
Nathanaël Dürst
Nathanaël facilitates institutional exchange between Switzerland and China across research, education, and innovation. His work is centered on coordinating bilateral initiatives and dialogues.
Nathanaël brings extensive experience in international governance, having previously served on the executive board of a global academic network and managed a leading international case competition. Recognized by the St. Gallen Symposium for his contributions to future-oriented dialogue, he is dedicated to supporting mutual understanding and sustainable partnerships between diverse institutions.
Nathanaël brings extensive experience in international governance, having previously served on the executive board of a global academic network and managed a leading international case competition. Recognized by the St. Gallen Symposium for his contributions to future-oriented dialogue, he is dedicated to supporting mutual understanding and sustainable partnerships between diverse institutions.
