Michael Hart is President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China), based in Beijing. He has over 25 of business experience in Asia, including more than 20 years in mainland China.

As President, Michael oversees all advocacy, programs, partnerships, and insights provided by the Chamber to support the business growth of nearly 1,000 foreign corporations operating in China, including most of the US Fortune 500. The Chamber’s advocacy includes the American Business in China White Paper and China Business Climate Survey, each published annually, as well as numerous interactions with both the US and Chinese governments on behalf of our members.

Prior to joining AmCham China, Michael spent most of his career in commercial real estate in Taipei, Shanghai, and Tianjin, including almost 20 years for NYSE-listed property services firm, JLL. He started in the research division briefing real estate owners, occupiers, and investors on transactions and macro trends, before opening, building, and leading a company branch office in Tianjin, one of China’s largest cities, for over a decade. Following this, Michael opened a private consulting and investment firm that invested in quick service restaurants, among other projects.

In addition to this work, Michael has been a long-term AmCham China member and served on the Tianjin Chapter’s Executive Committee for nearly 15 years, including several terms as Chair.
Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on finance and banking from the University of Missouri-Columbia in the US. He is a fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese. Michael was born and raised near Kansas City, Missouri.

James Zimmerman is the Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China).

Based in Beijing, James is a author and lawyer who has lived and worked in China for three decades. He is a partner with the law firm of Loeb & Loeb LLP and advises foreign companies on corporate, transactional, regulatory, litigation and white-collar criminal defense matters. James previously served as Chairman of AmCham China for four prior terms in 2007-08 and 2015-16. He is the author of the acclaimed non-fiction book, The Peking Express: The Bandits Who Stole a Train, Stunned the West, and Broke the Republic of China.