[27 Jan (Sat), Policy Dialogue Series 2023-24] Hong Kong in a Polarized World: Still a Super-Connector and East-West Intermediary?

Dear Colleagues and Students,

The Division of Public Policy of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), together with the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies and the Academy of Hong Kong Studies of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), cordially invite you to attend the following Policy Dialogue Series featuring Professor Anthony Cheung, former Secretary for Transport and Housing (2012-17) and former President of EdUHK, as well as Professor Lui Tai-lok, Adjunct Research Chair Professor and former Vice President (Research and Development) of EdUHK.

Policy Dialogue Series 2023-24:

Hong Kong in a Polarized World: Still a Super-connector and East-West Intermediary?

Hong Kong used to be a major gateway to China and an intermediary between China and the world particularly the West. However, the world has now changed. Intense US-China rivalry, regional conflicts and anti-globalisation sentiments are defining the new normal. Also, China has transited from an era of reforms through opening to Western markets and methods to the present new era of the Chinese path to modernization. After 2019 China has taken national security as a priority in the city while the doubtful West now sees it as a system less separate from the mainland.  Hong Kong seems caught in a dilemma and risks losing its strategic distinctness and connectedness. Can it reinvent its intermediary role in a more complex and polarized world?

About the speakers and moderator

Professor Anthony Cheung （張炳良教授）is currently the Advisor (Public Administration) with the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies at The Education University of Hong Kong and the Adjunct Professor with the Division of Public Policy of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He was formerly the Secretary for Transport and Housing of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government from July 2012 to June 2017 and the former President of The Education University of Hong Kong (then known as Hong Kong Institute of Education) from January 2008 to June 2012.

Professor Christine Loh （陸恭蕙教授）is Chief Development Strategist at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She was Under-Secretary for the Environment in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (2012-2017).

Mr Bernard Charnwut Chan （陳智思先生）is Chairman of the Board of M+ Museum and Deputy Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. He was formerly a Deputy to the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China, a Member of the Executive Council, the Convenor of its Non-Official Members (2017-2022), and a Member of the Legislative Council (Insurance Functional Constituency, 1998-2008).

Mr Wang Xiangwei （王向偉先生）is an Associate Professor of Practice with the Department of Journalism at Hong Kong Baptist University. He was formerly Editor-In-Chief of the South China Morning Post (2012-2015).

Professor Donald Low （劉浩典教授）is a Senior Lecturer and Professor of Practice at the Institute of Public Policy of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Professor Lui Tai-lok （呂大樂教授）is the Adjunct Research Chair Professor at the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies at The Education University of Hong Kong. From April 2016 to June 2021, he was Vice-President (Research and Development) of the University.

About the Policy Dialogue Series

The two universities co-host The Policy Dialogue Series which began in 2018-19 and is now in its sixth annual series. The theme of this year’s series is “Hong Kong into a New Future: Reflect, Renew and Reinvigorate”. Professor Anthony Cheung and Professor Lui Tai-lok will be joined by other speakers in the relevant fields to explore the critical issues and public policy challenges facing Hong Kong. Other series are:

The Policy Dialogue Series is interactive and encourages the participation of the HKUST and EdUHK communities as well as members of the public who are concerned about Hong Kong’s future.

All are welcome!