The implementation of a new National Security Law in Hong Kong in March has once again garnered international attention and sparked widespread concerns about the future of the region. Join us on Tuesday, July 16 for an in-depth discussion on the intricate landscape of Hong Kong’s future against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics. Our speakers will offer varied perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Hong Kong’s society and economy, covering its autonomy, civil rights, social stability, economy, "global financial hub" status, and the operations of international businesses in the region.

Our distinguished panel includes Ambassador Kurt Tong, Managing Partner at The Asia Group and former Consul General and Chief of Mission in Hong Kong and Macau; Shibani Mahtani, an international investigative correspondent for the Washington Post; and Timothy McLaughlin, a prize-winning contributing writer for The Atlantic.

This is a virtual, on-the-record event. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered attendees 24 hours before the event. Registration and confirmation of registration is required.

SPEAKER BIO

Kurt Tong is Managing Partner at The Asia Group, where he leads the firm’s work in Japan and the broader East Asia region. Before joining The Asia Group, Ambassador Tong was an American diplomat for 30 years. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Consul General and Chief of Mission in Hong Kong and Macau. He was the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic and Business Affairs at the State Department from 2014 to 2016, guiding the Department’s efforts as its most senior career diplomat handling economic affairs. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo from 2011 to 2014, setting the stage for Japan’s entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Ambassador Tong was Ambassador for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) from 2009 to 2011 and led the U.S. chairmanship of the organization during the 2011 U.S. host year.  He worked in the White House as Director for Asian Affairs during the George W. Bush Administration and handled negotiations with North Korea on nuclear issues and other matters there and at the Department of State. In addition to Hong Kong and Tokyo, his overseas postings include Beijing, Seoul, and Manila. 

Shibani Mahtani is an international investigative correspondent for the Washington Post. She was previously the Post’s Hong Kong and Southeast Asia bureau chief and a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal based in Singapore, Yangon, and Chicago. Her Hong Kong coverage was honored with prizes including a Human Rights Press Award for an investigation into police misconduct. She is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Timothy McLaughlin is a prize-winning contributing writer for The Atlantic. Previously he worked for Reuters news agency. His work has also appeared in publications including WIRED, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and Prospect. He has won multiple awards for his Hong Kong coverage, including two Best in Business Awards from the Society for Advancing Business Editing, and is a two-time finalist for The Livingston Award for International Reporting. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California. Mahtani and McLaughlin live in Singapore with their adopted Hong Kong village dog, Bean.