Sheng Zhang

Biography

Sheng Zhang is a leading Research Analyst at the Chinese Development Finance Program (CDFP) at AidData, where he focuses on development finance, infrastructure projects, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) research. His expertise in these domains is critical to guiding the program's research analysis, contributing significantly to the understanding and improvement of sustainable development and investment practices worldwide. Zhang played a key role in the formation and management of the geospatial data collection team, greatly improving the program's capabilities in providing detailed insights into development finance activities through refined geocoding techniques.

He effectively manages a diverse range of responsibilities, including conducting thorough research analyses, leading impact evaluations, and writing policy reports and academic papers that explore the intricate relationships between development finance, debt sustainability, and infrastructure development. Zhang is also presenting AidData’s research at various esteemed forums, including international conferences, policy briefings, research seminars, and congressional hearings

Education

Johns Hopkins University
MA in Public Management

Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
Bachelor of Economics

Publications

Belt and Road Reboot: Beijing’s Bid to De-Risk Its Global Infrastructure Initiative

China's AI Exports: Technology Distribution and Data Safety

Harboring Global Ambitions: China's Ports Footprint and Implications for Future Overseas Naval Bases

Chinese health funding in Africa: The untold story. PLOS Glob Public Health 3 (6): e0001637
Banking on the Belt and Road: Insights from a new global dataset of 13,427 Chinese development projects

Forthcoming 2024: AidData's Geospatial Global Chinese Development Finance