Charles Burton has more than 30 years experience in China.

He obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 1987 after studies at Cambridge University in England, and three years at Fudan University in Shanghai in the late-'70s.  He speaks, reads and writes Chinese with native fluency.

His first job was with the Communications Security Establishment in the Department of National Defence in Ottawa.

He has been teaching in the Department of Political Science at Brock University since 1989.

Since 1991 has been borrowed from Brock by the Department of Foreign Affairs to work in the Canadian Embassy in Beijing twice, from '91-'93 and most recently from '98 until 2000, as Counsellor for Political Affairs.

He is author and editor of books and articles about China and North Korea and frequently comments in the Canadian and Chinese press, radio and TV on Chinese and North Korean affairs.