Brian Wong

Dr. Brian Wong is a HKU-100 Assistant Professor in Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong, where he is also a Fellow at the Centre on Contemporary China and the World. A Rhodes Scholar (HKSAR, 2020) and Kwok Scholar, his research sits at the intersection of geopolitics, political and moral philosophy, and technology — with a particular focus on the ethics of authoritarian regimes, historical injustices, and the dynamics of China's foreign policy.

Beyond academia, Brian is a seasoned geopolitical strategist who advises multinational corporations, hedge funds, and family offices on macro risks across Asia. He is a Non-resident Honorary Fellow at the Center for China Analysis, Asia Society, and an Adviser on Strategy at the Oxford Global Society. He is also the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Oxford Political Review, the first Hong Kong-born Chinese to advance to the open semifinals of the World Universities Debating Championships, and holds three degrees from the University of Oxford — a DPhil in Politics from Balliol College, an MPhil in Political Theory from Wolfson College, and an MA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Pembroke College.

Follow Brian's commentary for sharp, philosophically grounded analysis on China, Asian geopolitics, and the ethical questions that underpin today's biggest international challenges — one of Hong Kong's most prolific and wide-ranging policy voices.

	Brian Wong
	@BrianWongOPR

Research & Commentary

Brian writes across academic journals and major international policy platforms, covering China's foreign policy, authoritarian ethics, Asian geopolitics, and the intersection of technology and political philosophy. Below is a selection of his notable work.

• China's Delicate Balancing Act on Iran

  China-US Focus • 27 March 2026

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/chinas-delicate-balancing-act-on-iran

• Wherefore China-Myanmar Relations in 2026?

  China-US Focus • 2 March 2026

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/wherefore-china-myanmar-relations-in-2026

• The Future of Sino-Vietnamese Relations post-14th National Congress

  China-US Focus • 26 February 2026

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/the-future-of-sino-vietnamese-relations-post-14th-national-congress

    
    

• Can China and India Break New and Find Common Ground in 2026?

  China-US Focus • 3 February 2026

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/can-china-and-india-break-new-and-find-common-ground-in-2026

    
    

• BRICS could become a new pillar of global governance—if its rapid growth doesn’t erode its newfound clout

  Fortune • 31 January 2026

  • https://fortune.com/2026/01/31/brics-expansion-china-india-tariffs-trump/

  
  

• Can Beijing Succeed in Its Re-engagement Bid with U.S. Partners?

  China-US Focus • 23 January 2026

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/can-beijing-succeed-in-its-re-engagement-bid-with-us-partners

More...

• Is Emmanuel Macron's Neo-Gaullism on China Substantive or Performative?

  China-US Focus • 7 January 2026

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/is-emmanuel-macrons-neo-gaullism-on-china-substantive-or-performative

    
    

• How Can Global Governance Re-inject Momentum into the Sino-British Dethaw?

  China-US Focus • 5 January 2026

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/how-global-governance-can-re-inject-momentum-into-the-sino-british-dethaw

    
    

• Can Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Contribute Meaningfully to Sino-ASEAN Relations?

  China-US Focus • 18 December 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/can-timor-lestes-accession-to-asean-contribute-meaningfully-to-sino-asean-relations

• Sino-Indian Rapprochement: High Stakes, Clear Barriers, and Low Hanging Fruits

  China-US Focus • 28 October 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/sino-indian-rapprochement-high-stakes-clear-barriers-and-low-hanging-fruits

    
    

• China’s Pivotal Role in the Silent Conflict in ASEAN’s Energy Future

  China-US Focus • 17 October 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/energy-environment/chinas-pivotal-role-in-the-silent-conflict-in-aseans-energy-future

    
    

• The Kids Are Alright -- Why the K-Visa Is the Way to Go

  China-US Focus • 17 October 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/society-culture/the-kids-are-alright-why-the-k-visa-is-the-way-to-go

    
    

• Why China and Indonesia Have Much to Gain from Deeper Synergy

  China-US Focus • 30 September 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/why-china-and-indonesia-have-much-to-gain-from-deeper-synergy

    
    

• The Foreign Policy Significance of China’s “Anti-Involution” Campaign

  China-US Focus • 19 September 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/finance-economy/the-foreign-policy-significance-of-chinas-anti-involution-campaign

• China’s grand global plan on full display at SCO Summit

  Asia Times • 9 September 2025

  • https://asiatimes.com/2025/09/chinas-grand-global-plan-on-full-display-at-sco-summit/

    
    

• The New Sino-American Modus Vivendi

  China-US Focus • 27 August 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/the-new-sino-american-modus-vivendi

• Does Beijing Want Genuine Improvements to Sino-European Relations?

  China-US Focus • 1 August 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/does-beijing-want-genuine-improvements-to-sino-european-relations

    
    

• Washington's New Trade Encirclement Strategy Could Well Backfire

  China-US Focus • 25 July 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/finance-economy/washingtons-new-trade-encirclement-strategy-could-well-backfire

    
    

• Can the Starmer Administration Straddle the U.S. and China Concurrently?

  China-US Focus • 11 July 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/can-the-starmer-administration-straddle-the-us-and-china-concurrently

    
    

• How Free Trade Can Survive in the Age of Trump 2.0

  China-US Focus • 4 July 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/finance-economy/how-free-trade-can-survive-in-the-age-of-trump-20

    
    

• Can Hong Kong Play A Role in Sino-US Relations under Trump?

  China-US Focus • 30 May 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/can-hong-kong-play-a-role-in-sino-us-relations-under-trump

• A Different Kind of Power

  The Wire China • 14 May 2025

  • https://www.thewirechina.com/2025/05/14/a-different-kind-of-power/

    
    

• Is South Korea Due for a U.S.-China Policy Reset?

  China-US Focus • 14 May 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/is-south-korea-due-for-a-us-china-policy-reset

• What would a Xi-Trump Grand Bargain Look Like?

  China-US Focus • 28 April 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/what-would-a-xi-trump-grand-bargain-look-like

    
    

• The “Great Power” Quadrangle

  China-US Focus • 22 April 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/the-great-power-quadrangle

  
  

• China's Soft Power Is Best Generated from the Bottom up

  China-US Focus • 27 March 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/society-culture/chinas-soft-power-is-best-generated-from-the-bottom-up

    
    

• Is Donald J Trump Pulling a Reverse Nixon?

  China-US Focus • 14 March 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/is-donald-j-trump-pulling-a-reverse-nixon

  
  

• Hong Kong’s top court upholds sedition conviction for ‘Fast Beat’ Tam Tak-chi

  South China Morning Post • 6 March 2025

  • https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3301257/hong-kongs-top-court-upholds-sedition-conviction-fast-beat-tam-tak-chi

• Three Challenges for ASEAN States in the Era of Trump 2.0

  China-US Focus • 4 March 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/three-challenges-for-asean-states-in-the-era-of-trump-20

    
    

• Why the European Union Needs a Trump 2.0 Policy

  China-US Focus • 26 February 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/why-the-european-union-needs-a-trump-20-policy

    
    

• Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Legacy for the Sino-Indian Relationship

  China-US Focus • 31 January 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/prime-minister-manmohan-singhs-legacy-for-the-sino-indian-relationship

    
    

• What President Jimmy Carter Can Teach the World about Engaging with China

  China-US Focus • 27 January 2025

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/what-president-jimmy-carter-can-teach-the-world-about-engaging-with-china

    
    

• For China to Revitalise Its Economy, It Must Rekindle the Entrepreneurial Spirit

  China-US Focus • 31 December 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/finance-economy/for-china-to-revitalise-its-economy-it-must-rekindle-the-entrepreneurial-spirit

    
    

• Unpacking the Sino-British Re-engagement

  China-US Focus • 29 November 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/unpacking-the-sino-british-re-engagement

    
    

• China’s Peace Mandate in Myanmar

  China-US Focus • 30 September 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/chinas-peace-mandate-in-myanmar

    
    

• China's Soft Power Challenge

  China-US Focus • 6 September 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/society-culture/chinas-soft-power-challenge

  
  

• A Constructive Reset to Sino-Italian Relations

  China-US Focus • 23 August 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/a-constructive-reset-to-sino-italian-relations

    
    

• What Happens If Kamala Harris Wins?

  China-US Focus • 16 August 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/what-happens-if-kamala-harris-wins

    
    

• Where do Sino-French Relations Stand in the Aftermath of the French Elections?

  China-US Focus • 31 July 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/where-do-sino-french-relations-stand-in-the-aftermath-of-the-french-elections

    
    

• China's Potential Role in Tackling the Myanmar Crisis

  China-US Focus • 5 June 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/chinas-potential-role-in-tackling-the-myanmar-crisis

    
    

• European Strategic Autonomy and the Future of Sino-European Relations

  China-US Focus • 30 May 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/finance-economy/european-strategic-autonomy-and-the-future-of-sino-european-relations

    
    

• China and India Must Establish a Relational Baseline

  China-US Focus • 7 May 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/china-and-india-must-establish-a-relational-baseline

    
    

• ASEAN Nations Are Neither Pro-America Nor Pro-China. They are Pro-ASEAN.

  China-US Focus • 19 April 2024

  • https://ww.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/asean-nations-are-neither-pro-america-nor-pro-china-they-are-pro-asean

    
    

• U.S.-China Cultural and Arts Engagement and Collaboration Requires Public Participation

  China-US Focus • 5 April 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/society-culture/us-china-cultural-and-arts-engagement-and-collaboration-requires-public-participation

    
    

• Why Sino-American Education Exchanges Matter, and How to Revive Them

  China-US Focus • 22 March 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/society-culture/why-sino-american-education-exchanges-matter

    
    

• In the Year of Global Elections, China Must Pragmatically Re-engage the West

  China-US Focus • 5 February 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/in-the-year-of-global-elections-china-must-pragmatically-re-engage-the-west

    
    

• How Beijing and Brussels Are on a Slow Path to Reconciliation

  China-US Focus • 2 January 2024

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/how-beijing-and-brussels-are-on-a-slow-path-to-reconciliation

    
    

• San Francisco Signified a key Watershed in Chinese Diplomacy

  China-US Focus • 21 December 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/san-francisco-signified-a-key-watershed-in-chinese-diplomacy

    
    

• Crafting an Autonomous EV Policy: Europe’s Path to Self-Sufficiency

  China-US Focus • 9 December 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/finance-economy/crafting-an-autonomous-ev-policy-europes-path-to-self-sufficiency

    
    

• The Role of ASEAN in Sino-American Climate Cooperation

  China-US Focus • 27 November 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/energy-environment/the-role-of-asean-in-sino-american-climate-cooperation

    
    

• How Southeast Asian Countries Are Navigating the Era of Sino-American Strategic Competition

  China-US Focus • 3 November 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/how-southeast-asian-countries-are-navigating-the-era-of-sino-american-strategic-competition

    
    

• Why Presidents Xi and Biden Need to Talk at APEC 2023

  China-US Focus • 20 October 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/why-presidents-xi-and-biden-need-to-talk-at-apec-2023

    
    

• If the U.S. and China Can’t Work Together on AI Regulation and Safety, the World Will Suffer

  China-US Focus • 21 September 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/if-the-us-and-china-cant-work-together-on-ai-regulation-and-safety-the-world-will-suffer

    
    

• OPR Speaks with Former Foreign Minister of Indonesia, Dr. Marty Natalegawa

  Oxford Political Review • 22 August 2023

  • https://oxfordpoliticalreview.com/2023/08/22/opr-speaks-with-former-foreign-minister-of-indonesia-dr-marty-natalegawa/

    
    

• The Danger of Grand Narratives

  China-US Focus • 18 August 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/the-danger-of-grand-narratives

  
  

• OPR Speaks with Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović

  Oxford Political Review • 11 July 2023

  • https://oxfordpoliticalreview.com/2023/07/11/opr-speaks-with-prime-minister-of-montenegro-dritan-abazovic/

    
    

• What Use, If Any, Does Dialogue Serve in Sino-American Relations?

  China-US Focus • 29 June 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/what-use-if-any-does-dialogue-serve-in-sino-american-relations

    
    

• Beijing official’s warning of ‘soft confrontations’ not relevant in Hong Kong sedition trial of former Stand News editors, defence tells court

  South China Morning Post • 28 June 2023

  • https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3225810/beijing-officials-warning-soft-confrontations-not-relevant-sedition-trial-former-stand-news-editors

    
    

• Why the Future of Indian Democracy Hangs on a Prudent and Pragmatic Approach to Delimitation

  The Wire • 5 June 2023

  • https://thewire.in/politics/india-delimitation-prudent-pragmatic-approach

    
    

• China and America Are Locked in A Threat Perception Spiral

  China-US Focus • 31 May 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/china-and-america-are-locked-in-a-threat-perception-spiral

    
    

• Why Aren’t We Talking about Sino-Indian Relations?

  China-US Focus • 16 May 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/why-arent-we-talking-about-sino-indian-relations

    
    

• China is Engaging with Diplomacy for a Multi-polar World

  China-US Focus • 3 May 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/china-is-engaging-with-diplomacy-for-a-multi-polar-world

    
    

• The Future of Sino-European Relations Can be Bright, but Key Challenges Remain

  China-US Focus • 24 April 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/the-future-of-sino-european-relations-can-be-bright-but-key-challenges-remain

    
    

• Preparing for the Worst, Hoping for the Best in Sino-American Relations

  China-US Focus • 21 March 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/preparing-for-the-worst-hoping-for-the-best-in-sino-american-relations

    
    

• Money Machine: A Riveting Read From One of Private Equity’s Very Best

  Oxford Political Review •14 March 2023

  • https://oxfordpoliticalreview.com/2023/03/14/money-machine/

    
    

• The Balloon Saga Reveals A Deep Trust Deficit – And That’s Worrying

  China-US Focus • 27 February 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/the-balloon-saga-reveals-a-deep-trust-deficit-and-thats-worrying

    
    

• What Zhou Enlai Teaches Us About Pragmatic Diplomacy

  China-US Focus • 31 January 2023

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/foreign-policy/what-zhou-enlai-teaches-us-about-pragmatic-diplomacy

    
    

• Reforming Sino-American Cultural Exchange for the Better

  China-US Focus • 29 December 2022

  • https://www.chinausfocus.com/society-culture/reforming-sino-american-cultural-exchange-for-the-better

    
    

• Why Chinese Diplomacy Isn’t All ‘Wolf Warriors’: On China’s Economic Statecraft

  Oxford Political Review • 28 November 2022

  • https://oxfordpoliticalreview.com/2022/11/28/why-chinese-diplomacy-isnt-all-wolf-warriors-on-chinas-economic-statecraft/

    
    

• Enough. Those of Us Caught in the Middle of U.S.-China Tensions Must Speak Up Now

  TIME • 26 September 2022

  • https://time.com/6215303/caught-in-the-middle-us-china/

    
    

• As Hong Kong Marks 25 Years of British Handover, Its 'Cage Homes' Remain a Stark Reminder of Its Inequities

  TIME • 30 June 2022

  • https://time.com/6191786/hong-kong-china-handover-cage-homes/

Watch & Listen

Follow Brian in conversation as he unpacks China's strategic ambitions, Hong Kong's evolving identity, and the philosophical dimensions of power and geopolitics in Asia.

• A Conversation with Professor Brian Wong | Yuen Yeung Ep. 1

  Yuen Yeung • 31 March 2026

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3flS4zOVyyo

• Discussion on Brian Wong’s Lecture

  Departemen of Philosophy, Peking University • 19 March 2026

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP-uWEHqdH0

    
    

• Episode 2 Podcast | Towards A Future For BRICS+ | The India-China Review

  Rashtam School • 16 March 2026

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5whhlkvTkxo

More...

• Power, AI, and Morality with Brian Wong

  The Tao of Chao Podcast with Philip Chao • 5 January 2026

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ZO2VqCS48

    
    

• Is America an Oligarchy? Brian Wong on Democracy, AI & China

  The Honest Drink Podcast • 11 December 2025

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEMEpKGjg2w

    
    

• We Are All Responsible for AI, Part 2

  Reid Blackman • 4 December 2025

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5wKsLZiSX4

• We Are All Responsible for AI, Part 1

  Reid Blackman • 20 November 2025

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCC1InhlJEU

    
    

• What Southeast Asia Wants, with Brian Wong

  European Guanxi • 25 September 2025

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9ZbNGOD4kU

• China’s Tech Diplomacy Ambitions with Brian Wong

  AI Proem • 16 September 2025

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tYkUmiiuGk

    
    

• China's AI and Tech Diplomacy with Professor Brian Wong

  Differentiated Understanding • 16 September 2025

  • https://open.spotify.com/episode/57HQGqo8oE5e2OYrmWozh6

  
  

• Professor Brian Wong on Moral Debt: Reparations, Empire & Inherited Responsibility

  The Down Lo Shot • 4 September 2025

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqQUhwQMXT4

• Navigating a New Global Order: U.S.–China Dynamics and Geopolitical Complexity w/ Dr. Brian Wong

  The Tao of Chao Podcast with Philip Chao • 10 May 2025

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVOYnJqpuwM

    
    

• Tariffs, Taiwan, and Harvard: Professor Brian Wong on China’s Global Chessboard

  The Down Lo Show • 23 April 2025

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J3zDEg8YFA

• Professor Briang Wong: Hong Kong's Role in the New China

  The Front Row Podcast • 1 January 2025

  • https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bSAGIKxLeg8sVJCQ4WdzB?si=fkdkMrZVSVG-YtcKsIJpIA

• How Hong Kong Was Reborn In The New China - Professor Brian Wong

  Keith Yap • 30 December 2024

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4qn5hRkj14

• What makes the Chinese economic model special? A conversation with Keyu Jin

  Oxford Global Society • 15 August 2024

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPoF7

    
    

• Interview with Dr. Brian Wong on Colonialism, Relational Injustice and Equality

  Aufhebung • 15 August 2024

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v87GeU9cr_A

• Do individuals have any agency in face of geopolitical challenges? | Brian Wong | TEDxIsland School

  TEDx Talks • 15 February 2024

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImBbgayLG6Y

• Brian Wong on Chinese soft power, relations between China and the West and misconceptions in mass discourse

  London Politica Podcast • 12 April 2022

  • https://open.spotify.com/episode/7hY9AgJ9hOLko0j1m6e6E4?si=vwX1U07sTVm3aAz0GyJUlQ

Last Updated: 4 April 2026