Diane was born in Beijing and spent part of her childhood with her parents in a labour camp in a remote region of China. She left China for the USA in 1989 after taking part in the student protests in Tiananmen Square. Diane holds a BA from Peking University and a MBA and a Ph.D from Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University. She was an award-winning professor in the USA before moving to the UK.
Diane is the author of a memior, LAKE WITH NO NAME, and novels featuring Beijing private detective Mei Wang: THE EYE OF JADE, PAPER BUTTERFLY and THE HOUSE OF GOLDEN SPIRIT. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages and published in 28 countries and territories. THE EYE OF JADE was shortlisted for The Shamus Award for Best First Novel.
Diane appears regularly on the BBC, Sky News, Channel 4 and ITV. She has written for The Times, Prospect Magazine and The Financial Times, and is a contributor for Conde Nast Traveler. Diane teaches business managenment and lives in London.