Murray King is the managing director of APCO Worldwide in Greater China. Mr. King oversees APCO's corporate advisory and strategic communication teams in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and works with a range of corporate and government clientele on China-related government and communication issues.
Mr. King joined APCO after working as a trade commissioner for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) from 1996-2004, where he held assignments in Beijing (1999-2001) and Shanghai (2001-2004). After entering the Canadian Diplomatic Service in 1996, Mr. King served as second secretary (commercial) and vice consul at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing from 1999 to 2001, specializing in the transportation and defense sectors. He was posted to the Canadian Consulate General in Shanghai from 2001 to 2004 as consul (commercial) responsible for advanced manufacturing technologies, advanced materials, information and communication technology, automotive, nuclear power, aerospace and defense, as well as Canada-Zhejiang bilateral relations.
While posted to China, Mr. King led Canada’s China transportation sector team and was the lead officer on a variety of transportation files with a specific focus on aerospace, assisting major Canadian aerospace firms in selling regional and business aircraft, flight simulators, aero engines and components to Chinese airlines. He also worked on a variety of aviation regulatory and market access issues including Canada-China bilateral air services, assisting Air Canada to open a daily service between Canada and China and advising China Eastern Airlines on Canadian regulatory requirements for its service between Shanghai to Vancouver.
From 2001 to 2004, Mr. King served as a member of Shanghai Airlines' Industry Advisory Committee. He recently completed two years on the board of directors of the Canada-China Business Council’s (CCBC) Shanghai chapter, serving as vice chairman of CCBC Shanghai. In 2007 he was appointed to the board of directors of CCBC's national chapter in Toronto, Canada (2007- present).
He is also an active member of the American business community in Shanghai. He served three terms as chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai’s CSR Committee (2005-2008), is currently a member of the organization's Policy Advisory Council, and is serving his second term as an elected governor of the group's Board of Governors (2008-2010).
Mr. King holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law from the University of Ottawa. He articled in Toronto at Blake Cassels & Graydon, was called to the Ontario Bar in 1992 and practiced as an associate lawyer at Daniel Fine & Associates in North York, Ontario, until 1996. He speaks Mandarin Chinese, conversational French and Spanish.