The APNIC Elected Leaders series celebrates the journeys and contributions of individuals who have stepped up to serve in volunteer leadership roles, helping to advance Internet operations across the Asia Pacific region. Through their stories, we hope you’ll gain insight into what motivates them, feel more connected to our community, and be inspired to get involved and help shape the future of the Internet.
Dr Anlei Hu, Chief Scientist at the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), brings decades of technical, operational, and policy experience to the APNIC Executive Council (EC).
A long-time contributor to Internet governance in the Asia Pacific region and globally, Anlei has played an important role in China’s Internet infrastructure development — particularly in IPv6, DNS, and RPKI. His current term as an APNIC EC member runs until March 2027.
Supporting strategy with community insight
With a PhD in Computer Science and Technology from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Shandong University, Anlei combines academic knowledge with extensive operational leadership. At CNNIC, he has held key roles including Chief Network Security Officer, Director of the Technology Department, and now serves as Chief Scientist and a member of the organization’s leadership team.
He has overseen IP address registration services, DNS infrastructure, and research and development projects, and led the operation of CNNIC’s core services for the .CN ccTLD, which has run without interruption for 11 years.
He also serves as Secretary-General of the Internet Infrastructure Resources Working Committee of the Internet Society of China, where he helps coordinate deployment efforts while maintaining active collaboration with international partners.
Focusing on practical, long-term goals
“The role of Executive Council member is especially important because it is a position entrusted by the community,” says Anlei.
“So, I must represent the interests and concerns of the community and make sure the work of the APNIC Secretariat aligns with the overall interests of the community.”
As an EC member, Anlei focuses on strengthening the Internet’s foundations across the Asia Pacific in four key areas:
- Infrastructure deployment: He advocates for the proactive rollout of IPv6, RPKI, and root server infrastructure, particularly in underserved parts of the Asia Pacific region.
- Community participation: He encourages more APNIC Members to take part in policy discussions and community initiatives and supports efforts by the Secretariat to make participation more accessible and impactful.
- Organizational reform: He supports the Secretariat’s reorganization efforts and emphasizes the importance of ensuring these changes are implemented smoothly without disrupting existing services.
- RIR governance evolution: He supports community-driven efforts to modernize the governance framework for Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), including the recent review of ICP-2, to ensure continued stability, transparency, and relevance in today’s Internet operations landscape.
Looking ahead
Through his role on the EC, Anlei is committed to helping APNIC deliver services that support technical excellence, regional development, and global stability. He believes in working collectively, across economies, sectors, and roles, to shape an Internet that is more secure, inclusive, and resilient.
“Through my work on the EC, I hope to leave a legacy of practical progress,” says Anlei.
“That means supporting infrastructure development in underserved areas, improving policy frameworks, and helping build a stronger, more cooperative Internet operations community.”
“I hope to connect with more like-minded peers along the way, so we can work together to make meaningful contributions to Internet operations in the Asia Pacific region, and globally, over the long term,” Anlei says.
Get involved in the next EC election
All APNIC Members are encouraged to take part in the elections; they’re a great way to help shape the future of Internet operations in the region.
“My advice to emerging technical leaders is to participate — even if you start small,” says Anlei.
“Join a SIG, contribute to a policy discussion, or share your experience. Every voice matters, and your input can make a real difference in how we shape the future of the Internet.”
The next APNIC EC election will take place at APRICOT 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. You can also read more about the EC election process to see how it works.
Contacting the EC
The EC values input from all APNIC Members and stakeholders. If you have comments or suggestions, you can reach out via the EC Submission feature in MyAPNIC or use the contact form.
The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.