Li Ai is a program officer in the foundation’s Beijing office. She plays a critical role in developing programming to ensure that Chinese finance and investment in the Global South produces a positive impact on local communities.

Before joining the foundation in 2020, Li Ai served as a policy adviser at Greenpeace East Asia, spearheading strategic planning for and implementation of advocacy for higher environmental, social, and governance standards in Chinese overseas energy investment in the Global South. In this work, she promoted decarbonization policies and advocated for an accountability system for Chinese overseas investment. She also served as a program officer at Oxfam Hong Kong from 2010 to 2016, leading work aimed at strengthening environmental, social, and governance standards (ESG) in Chinese policies related to overseas finance and investment. Li Ai has also worked with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to establish an accountability system for Chinese overseas mining investments.

Throughout her career, Li Ai has worked closely with civil society organizations and communities in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to facilitate constructive dialogue with Chinese investors. Her invaluable contribution to developing a grievance mechanism designed to hold finance and investment companies accountable is a testament to her commitment to empowering CSOs and communities. The mechanism enables them to lodge complaints with Chinese regulators and banks, strengthening accountability in the investment process.

Li Ai started her professional journey as a journalist, working at The Beijing Times for seven years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Beijing Sport University and a master’s in Public Administration from Tsinghua University.