Dr. Yang is professor and deputy director of the Center of Asia-Pacific Studies at Peking University. He is also vice president of the Association for Southeast Asian Studies of China and executive member of the Council of the China Association of Overseas Chinese History Studies. His areas of focus are the Asia-Pacific region, Southeast Asia, and overseas Chinese research. He is the author of numerous papers, and has published in Chinese, English, and French. He has taught in several universities and academic institutions in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Dr. Yang received his Ph.D. in Far East Studies from Paris University VII.