The Romanian Institute for the Study of the Asia-Pacific (RISAP) is a non-governmental organization and the premier Romanian think tank that focuses on the Asia-Pacific region.

RISAP’s mission is to contribute to the strengthening of Romania’s ties with the countries of the Asia-Pacific. RISAP aims to inform the Romanian public about the events and the developments in the Asia-Pacific, increasing the public’s awareness and knowledge about this region.

Founded by young Romanian researchers, who focus on the Asia-Pacific region, RISAP aims to nurture the future generation of Romanian experts on the Asia-Pacific, so that Romania can better understand the world’s most complex and most dynamic region.

RISAP’s main objectives are:

Research

Researching the countries of the Asia-Pacific in the fields of international relations, geopolitics, economics, politics, sociology, history and culture

Informing

Informing the Romanian public about the events and evolutions taking place in the Asia-Pacific, through articles and research, published on the RISAP website

Publications

Editing and publishing books, reports, periodicals, leaflets and other informative materials about the Asia-Pacific

Supporting young researchers

Supporting young students or graduates who are interested in the Asia-Pacific region, by enabling their research activity, publishing and popularizing their work and through internship programs

Consultancy

Providing economic, geopolitical, political and cultural expertise to Romanian institutions and public or private organizations

Promoting Romania

Promoting Romania and the Romanian economic environment in Asia-Pacific countries, through publications, projects and events

Strengthening relations

Analyzing, promoting and contributing to the development of bilateral relations between Romania and the countries in the Asia-Pacific region

Events

Organizing conferences, debates, courses, seminars, workshops and summer schools
Andrei LunguPresident
Andrei Lungu is the co-founder and president of RISAP. He holds a Master’s Degree in Geopolitics and International Relations and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Economics from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. His articles have appeared in Foreign Policy, The Diplomat, South China Morning Post and East Asia Forum, among others. Andrei’s research interests include China’s foreign policy and its domestic politics, Sino-American relations, Europe-China relations and the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific.
Andreea BrînzăVice President
Andreea Brînză is the co-founder and vice president of RISAP. She is a PhD researcher with a focus on China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its impact on the international system. She holds a Master’s Degree in Security Studies from the University of Bucharest. Andreea’s articles have appeared Foreign Policy, South China Morning Post, The Diplomat, Nikkei Asia, War on the Rocks, among others. Her interests are related to the Belt and Road Initiative, the geopolitics, geostrategy and geoeconomics of the Asia-Pacific region and especially China.
Georgiana BobocFellow
Georgiana Boboc holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from China Foreign Affairs University, in Beijing. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), in Bucharest. A Mandarin speaker, she is interested in China’s foreign policy, China’s role in the international system and its relations with other great powers, like the US or Russia.
Alexandra RoșcaAnalyst
Alexandra Roșca holds a Master’s Degree in Diplomacy and International Economics from the Academy of Business Studies in Bucharest. Her research interest focus on the international relations, diplomacy and geopolitics of Asia, and her main country of interest is Russia.
Andreea ZahariaAssociate researcher
Andreea Zaharia holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA), Bucharest. She currently works as a trade policy specialist. Andreea is interested in international relations and security issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance): Flickr/Joe deSousa, Flickr/hsueh888tw (modified with filters), PixaBay/Public Domain, Flickr/Stephan Rebernik (modified with filters)