Grzegorz Stec heads MERICS’ presence and outreach in Brussels. His research focuses on EU-China relations, exploring China’s stance towards Europe and the EU's pursuit of a cohesive China policy. Grzegorz monitors China’s relations with Member States, with particular attention paid to Central and Eastern Europe-China relations. He also examines China’s foreign policy and its hybrid interference efforts. In 2023, he was ranked by POLITICO as one of Power 40, top policy influencers in Brussels. 

Prior to joining MERICS, he founded a Brussels-based non-profit platform "EU-China Hub" and co-founded a Beijing-based consultancy company focused on impact of the Belt and Road Initiative. He has also worked as a contributor to Oxford Analytica.

Grzegorz holds a Master of Science degree in Contemporary Chinese Studies (University of Oxford - as a recipient of Jenkins Memorial Scholarship), a Master of Economics degree in China Studies (Yenching Academy of Peking University), and three BA degrees in International Relations, in Comparative Studies of Civilizations, and in Asia Studies (Jagiellonian University in Krakow). He also studied Chinese language at Beijing Foreign Studies University and Beijing Language and Culture University.