Lack of representation

The number of Chinese staff at international organizations is still disproportionate to the country's standing as the world's second-largest economy, said several experts.

China, for example, accounted for more than 15 percent of United Nations' financial contributions from 2022 to 2024, second only to the United States. However, China has just over 1,300 people working in the UN system, accounting for only 2.3 percent of the total. The US, France, and Kenya, by comparison, have about 5,500, 4,400, and 3,700 people employed in the system respectively.

There are even fewer Chinese staff members working at non-language posts at the UN Secretariat, the lowest level among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, according to Yi.

Most of the Chinese in the UN system do translation, conference affairs, and logistics work, among other tasks. Only a small proportion of Chinese work at senior levels, and have the opportunity to participate in management and decision-making.

"China's underrepresentation in international organizations leads to restrictions on its right to speak in such organizations, and makes it somewhat difficult to exert influence on international affairs. Such a situation also makes it hard to effectively demonstrate the image of a responsible big country," Yi said.

"In the WTO, I've always hoped that young talent from China can join its legal department or work in dispute settlement. Several UN officials at senior levels told me that Chinese candidates usually have strong logical thinking and are very diligent. However, many of them have shortcomings when it comes to the drafting of legal documents," he said.

Ian Phillips, director of the news and media division of the Department of Global Communications at the UN, said that he has witnessed a growing number of Chinese staff in the UN system, even though they might still be underrepresented.

"I see a growing Chinese influence, especially with young people, including interns. In our department, we have a Chinese team that creates news in formats of written stories and video pieces on a daily basis. They are very capable, innovative, and solution-focused. They do important work," Phillips said.

"Perhaps the underrepresentation of Chinese staff in the UN system is because China's growth has been rapid. It's just that the number of staff members has not increased as rapidly as that," he said.

Peter Dawkins, chief of the Web services section of the Department of Global Communications at the UN, said that the requirement of working languages at the UN Secretariat could be an extra barrier for candidates from China.

If a candidate from China applies for an information technology post, for instance, they will be competing against applicants from the United Kingdom, the United States and France who are fluent in English or French and have a natural advantage, he said.

Playing to strengths

Interdisciplinary competency is one way Chinese talent can prepare for international organizations, several experts said.

Lu Xiankun, who was formerly a Chinese counselor to the WTO, said that today there are diversified global challenges, such as climate change, public health, and food security, and many different international organizations are working in those fields.

However, when it comes to solutions they are also always concerned about economics and trade. Young talent, therefore, must have good knowledge in this area plus another major, Lu said.

Citing the WTO as an example, he explained that while it is a trade organization, the real work usually involves a combination of politics, economics and trade, and the law.

While WTO employees must have outstanding capability in their academic majors, they must also think outside the box and "consider the subject of negotiation from the perspective of international relations and national strategy", Lu said.

In addition to good professional skills, a global perspective, and the ability to adapt in a multicultural environment are also necessary for any applicant to international organizations, said Wang Xiaoyuan, a master's student from Shanghai and an intern at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

"I studied in Australia and New Zealand through exchange programs, which allowed me to get an in-depth look at the aquaculture industry in different countries. It laid a foundation for this internship in Rome," said the 24-year-old.

Hong, the former WTO official, said potential employees of such organizations must also be equipped with the ability to look into new subjects that require attention. "These may include digital trade, the environment and new energy, and empowering women," he said.

Dawkins from the UN said it is always good to have general skills, such as communication, teamwork, being able to think creatively, leadership, and data analysis, for young talented people to work for international organizations.