Stefan Messingschlager is a historian and political scientist at the Chair of Modern History at Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg. Educated at the University of Konstanz and Peking University, his research explores contemporary Chinese history and politics, particularly focusing on Sino-Western relations and the evolution of Western China expertise since 1949. He regularly publishes in academic journals in German, English, and Mandarin. His forthcoming book on China expertise is scheduled for publication in 2026.