Christopher Johnson

Christopher K. Johnson is the President and CEO of China Strategies Group, a political risk consulting firm. One of the top China experts in the world, his insights frequently are sought by leading corporate, financial, and other business interests to develop strategies for clients in China and regionally. His views and analysis frequently are featured in the world’s leading business, policy, and media outlets. He also regularly advises senior White House, cabinet, congressional, military, and foreign government officials on the Chinese leadership, the country’s unique state capitalist economic model, and Beijing’s foreign and security policies. An accomplished Asian affairs specialist, Chris spent nearly two decades in the United States Government’s intelligence and foreign affairs communities.

He was the top China analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, chronicling the country's dynamic political and economic transformation, the development of its robust military modernization program, and Beijing’s resurgence as a regional and global power. Chris served abroad in several field stations in East Asia and speaks Mandarin Chinese. He was an intelligence liaison to two Secretaries of State on worldwide security issues and in 2011 was awarded the U.S. Department of State’s Superior Honor Award for outstanding support to the Secretary. After departing the CIA, Chris served as the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he mirrored his government success by becoming a highly acclaimed public thought leader on China.