The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the central banking institution of Hong Kong, announced the appointment of Dr. Zhu Haibin as its new Executive Director of Research, taking effect on October 1, 2025. Dr. Zhu, an experienced economist, will play a crucial role in shaping monetary policy and financial regulatory frameworks in Hong Kong.

Dr. Zhu was previously the Chief Economist for China at J.P. Morgan, and has a robust track record of contributions to research and analysis of monetary policy and macroeconomic trends, both in China and globally. As the new Executive Director, Dr. Zhu will lead the HKMA's research team and focus on critical areas including economic and financial system stability, monetary policy research, and data analytics. This role is pivotal in guiding the HKMA in its mission to promote the stability of Hong Kong’s monetary and financial systems.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority was founded in April 1993, and has three main functions: maintaining currency stability via the linked exchange rate system tying the Hong Kong Dollar to the U.S. Dollar; promoting the stability and integrity of the banking system; and helping to maintain Hong Kong's status as a financial hub. Dr. Zhu’s appointment comes at a significant time as the HKMA navigates complex financial landscapes, particularly in the post-pandemic economy. The authority values Dr. Zhu's insights, stemming from his academic credentials and practical experiences in financial services, to enhance its policy-making processes. 

Commenting on his new position, Dr. Zhu expressed his enthusiasm for contributing to Hong Kong’s economic development and his commitment to fostering a transparent and robust financial regulatory framework. His leadership is expected to not only benefit the HKMA but also the broader Hong Kong financial ecosystem. Dr. Zhu’s extensive experience and deep understanding of both local and international markets position him as a capable leader in steering research efforts at the HKMA.

Dr. Zhu obtained his Ph.D. in economics from Duke University, holds an M.A. in Economics from the Graduate School of People’s Bank of China, and holds a B.S. in Information Management from Peking University. Mr. Zhu was formerly a research economist at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) for over a decade, starting in 2001. He joined J.P. Morgan in 2011; from 2016-2020, Mr. Zhu served as the Head of China Equity Strategy at J.P. Morgan. His areas of expertise include China's economy, banking regulation and financial stability, equity strategy and asset allocation, and he has published dozens of papers on these subjects in peer-reviewed journals.

---

Image Credits: Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Hong Kong, Pixabay