Cindy Yu Keynote Speaker

he Times & Sunday Times columnist (since May 2025)
Host, Chinese Whispers at The Spectator (Jul 2020–May 2025)
Political Podcast Awards nominee (People’s Choice, 2025)

Cindy Yu's Biography

Cindy Yu is a columnist and contributing editor at The Times and Sunday Times. She was formerly Assistant Editor (Broadcast) at The Spectator, a British current affairs and arts magazine, where she also hosted the magazine’s Chinese Whispers podcast. The podcast was a deep dive into all the intriguing themes of Chinese politics, society and history that often go under the radar of mainstream China reporting.

Cindy is an experienced and eloquent moderator and speaker, having presented high profile events such as Sibos Conference and UBS Greater China Conference. She has delivered keynote speeches to industry groups in the UK, Denmark and Italy, as well as after dinner speeches for a range of financial and academic groups.

Cindy was born in Nanjing, China. She read politics, philosophy, and economics at the University of Oxford, where she also read for a master of science in contemporary Chinese studies. She has written extensively about China for The Spectator, the Telegraph, Foreign Policy, among others. She is a frequent commentator on China issues for the BBC, TalkTV, RTE News, Channel 4 and GB News.

China and the West: risk, rivalry and reality

Inside Xi’s China: politics, society and power

Geopolitics for business: what leaders need now

Moderating high-stakes conversations on China

Chinese diaspora, identity, and cultural literacy

She brings an authoritative perspective on modern China as a columnist and contributing editor at The Times and The Sunday Times, helping leaders interpret political and social change with confidence.
She translates complex China narratives, from propaganda and governance to shifting public opinion, into clear, decision-ready insight for boards and executives.
She draws on her work at The Spectator (July 2020 to May 2025), where she served as Assistant Editor (Broadcast) and hosted Chinese Whispers, to bring nuance and context beyond headlines.
She is an experienced keynote speaker and moderator who has presented high-profile events including Sibos and the UBS Greater China Conference, keeping complex discussions sharp, balanced and audience-friendly.
She brings credibility on stage and on air as a frequent China commentator for outlets including the BBC, TalkTV, RTÉ News, Channel 4 and GB News, helping organisations communicate with confidence in a higher-stakes geopolitical climate.