Brian Wong
Assistant Professor in Philosophy and Fellow at Centre on Contemporary China and the World, HKU and Rhodes Scholar
Jan 07, 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to China reinforced bilateral ties through trade, investment, and scientific cooperation, yet yielded few breakthroughs on contentious issues like Ukraine or advanced technology transfer, reflecting Beijing’s guarded approach. While Macron projects a Neo-Gaullist vision of strategic autonomy and a “Third Way” between the U.S. and China, structural constraints in France and the enduring weight of trans-Atlantic ties limit the substantive impact of his approach.
Jan 05, 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s China policy aims to balance economic engagement with security concerns while ending the UK’s tendency to swing between confrontation and accommodation, but mixed signals have drawn criticism from both China hawks at home and officials in Beijing. Meaningful progress in UK-China relations will depend on delivering concrete cooperation rather than rhetoric or symbolic high-level visits.
Dec 18, 2025
Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN underscores its expanding but still limited relationship with China, marked by significant infrastructure and trade cooperation alongside ongoing institutional and investment challenges. Deeper and more coordinated Chinese engagement would enable Timor-Leste to play a meaningful role in strengthening Sino-ASEAN cooperation.
Dec 08, 2025
Trump and Xi’s latest meeting was a remarkable display of amiability between the U.S. and China, yet the conflicts at hand saw no progress toward resolution.
Oct 28, 2025
China and India’s tense relationship appears to be thawing in the face of hostile U.S. actions, but a true de-escalation is nowhere near the grasp of either side.
Oct 17, 2025
Southeast Asia faces a critical challenge in balancing rapid economic growth with climate commitments, as most of its energy demand remains dependent on fossil fuels despite vast renewable potential. China plays a pivotal dual role in this transition, financing both coal and clean energy projects, and its future choices will determine whether ASEAN’s development and decarbonization goals can align.
Oct 17, 2025
China introduced the K-visa on October 1, 2025, for young foreign STEM professionals, offering longer stays, multiple entries, and broader benefits. The program seeks to boost innovation and international collaboration amid slowing population growth, but faces public concerns over job competition and talent retention.
Sep 30, 2025
Indonesia, born from its 1945 struggle for independence, has grown into Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a significant global player, yet remains under-discussed in high-level political discourse. Despite ongoing challenges, China and Indonesia specifically have significant potential for cooperation in trade and technology.
Sep 19, 2025
China’s economic struggles have implications for its trading partners across the globe, notably in Europe. What can Beijing’s fight against ‘involution’ tell the world about its future trading prospects?
Sep 02, 2025
China’s approach to conflict mediation is characterized by what scholars call “quasi-mediation diplomacy,” in which Beijing emphasizes rhetoric and symbolic gestures while avoiding costly commitments. Recent cases show that China prefers strategic ambiguity and bureaucratic caution over assuming a high-profile mediator role.
