B.A. in International Studies with a focus on Middle Eastern Affairs from Leiden University in the Netherlands. He was a Yenching Scholar at Peking University in China, where he graduated with a Master’s degree in China Studies, Politics and International Relations. His research interests focuses on China’s evolving relationship with the Middle East - North Africa region in political and economic terms. Having lived in China, Egypt, Sudan and Oman, Maurice Gajan speaks fluent Arabic and Chinese.