Former Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani spoke in Hong Kong at the Fullerton Forum, pointing the need of the city to develop “geopolitical instincts” to navigate the US-China rivalry amid a global shift of power from West to East. He described Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” model as an asset, urging leaders to highlight this differentiation more effectively. Mahbubani warned that Hong Kong risks becoming a “political football” in the superpower contest and should be prepared to respond strategically. (Mycroft, 2025)
The lecture was attended by former Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Justice Secretary Paul Lam, and consular representatives from countries including Russia, Turkey, and Vietnam.
He noted that since the US-China trade war under former US President Donald Trump, Hong Kong has been increasingly caught in the crossfire, facing sanctions on officials and the loss of special US trade status.
Mahbubani argued that the post-World War II world order, shaped by the West, had benefited Asia but was now under strain as Western powers resist making space for emerging economies. He highlighted that China’s GDP is now on par with the European Union’s, India has surpassed the UK to become the fifth largest economy, and ASEAN’s combined GDP is projected to outpace Germany’s by 2050.
He criticized Europe’s disproportionate influence in institutions such as the IMF and UN Security Council, calling it contradictory for Western countries to advocate democracy while limiting broader representation.
Mahbubani said alternative platforms such as BRICS and the G20 are gaining importance, with BRICS attracting more members and the G20 expected to play a stronger role in the future. He concluded that a multipolar world has already emerged, bringing more actors, balancing forces, and opportunities in global politics.
Mycroft, (2025, 27 august). Hong Kong must hone ‘geopolitical instincts’ amid China-US rivalry: Kishore Mahbubani. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3323382/hong-kong-must-hone-geopolitical-instincts-amid-china-us-rivalry-kishore-mahbubani