US-based Asia-only investment manager creates a new senior role to focus on China opportunities.

Matthews Asia, the San Francisco-based investment manager that is dedicated to Asia, has created a new investment strategist role to focus on opportunities in China.

Andy Rothman takes up this key position and becomes responsible for developing research on China's ongoing economic and political developments. He will also play a crucial role in representing the firm in China and other parts of the Asia region to clients and prosects around the world. He will act as a spokesperson for the company.

Rothman brings 14 years of experience as a China macroeconomics strategist at CLSA, where he conducted analysis into China and delivered insights to the firm's institutional investor base. Prior to that, he spent 17 years int he US Foreign Service, with a diplomatic career focused on China, including as head of the macroeconomics and domestic policy office of the US Embassy in Beijing. He has lived and worked in Chian for more than 20 years.

"As we continue to see growth in our business, our increasingly global client base will benefit from [Rothman's] insight and analysis on China and the Asia region. His appointment further cements our reputation as an Asia-specialist investment manager," said William Hackett, chief executive.

Matthews Asia has been operating since 1991 and is one of the largest dedicated Asia-only investment specialists in the US. It records $25.9 billion in assets under management as at 31 December 2013.