Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China · 2023–Present

Researching soft power diplomacy and comparing China’s methods of engagement in the Middle East and East Asia.

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow — Sun Yat-sen University

  2023 – Present · Zhuhai, China

• Research Fellow — Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

  2024 · Malaysia

• Consultant — Centre for Lebanese Studies, University of Cambridge

  2024

• Research Department Director — Center for Asian and Chinese Studies

  2021 – 2023 · Beirut

• Doctoral Researcher — Central China Normal University

  2018 – 2021 · Wuhan

• PhD — International Relations

  Central China Normal University

• Master 2 — International Law: Diplomacy and Strategic Negotiations

  Université Paris-Sud

• Master 2 — Political Science and International Relations

  La Sagesse University

• Bachelor — Translation and Interpretation

  Lebanese International University

International relations, China–Middle East relations, diplomacy and soft power, political economy and development, and Asia–Middle East connectivity. See the Research page for a full description of current work.

• Zreik, M. (2026). Curriculum futures in the age of artificial intelligence: Reimagining social sciences and humanities education in Middle Eastern higher education. Springer Nature Singapore.
• Huang, H. C., & Zreik, M. (2026). Geoeconomics and governance: Exploring the AIIB-ADB relationship in ASEAN. Palgrave Macmillan Singapore / Springer Nature.
• Zreik, M. (2025). Qatar's role in China's Belt and Road Initiative: Bridging two economic titans. Palgrave Macmillan / Springer Nature.
• Zreik, M. (Ed.) (2025). Innovations and Tactics for 21st Century Diplomacy. IGI Global.
• Zreik, M. (2024). The Syrian refugee crisis and Lebanon's economic landscape: The impact of forced migration on GDP, unemployment, inflation, and trade. Palgrave Macmillan / Springer Nature.
• Zreik, M. (Ed.) (2024). Soft Power and Diplomatic Strategies in Asia and the Middle East. IGI Global.

View selected publications → · Complete record on Google Scholar →

• Secretary-General — Middle East Studies Unit, Sun Yat-sen University
• Research Department Director — Center for Asian and Chinese Studies, Beirut (2021–2023)
• Peer Review — Reviewer for journals indexed in Web of Science and Scopus; 200+ manuscripts reviewed, most in SSCI- and Scopus-indexed titles.

• Chinese Government Scholarship — Doctoral scholarship supporting PhD research at Central China Normal University.
• Research Grant — Consultant research grant, Centre for Lebanese Studies, University of Cambridge.

English

Excellent

Arabic

Excellent

French

Advanced

Spanish

Conversational

Portuguese

Conversational

Chinese (Mandarin)

Conversational / general knowledge

• Quantitative & Econometric Analysis
• Academic Research & Publishing
• Policy Analysis & Diplomacy
• Peer Review & Academic Editing
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Public Speaking & Media Commentary
• Research Project Management
• Bilingual Academic Writing