Research
Explore ongoing research at the intersection of diplomacy, regional politics, and global dynamics, ranging from Hong Kong’s international status to the debate surrounding the rise of China.
Books and Chapters
Books
- China’s New World Order: Changes in the Non-Intervention Policy (Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2021).
- China, India and Russia–Cooperation and Construction of the Asia-Pacific Order in the 21st Century (Saarbrücken, Germany: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 2009).
Chapters
- “Hong Kong’s international status at a crossroads” (with Wai Ting), in Contemporary Hong Kong Government and Politics, ed. Wai Man Lam, Percy L. T. Lui, Wilson Wong, 3rd ed. (Hong Kong University Press, 2024), 399-427.
- “Hong Kong’s role as a mediator between China and the West: Changes under C. Y. Leung’s Administration”, in Evaluation of the C. Y. Leung Administration, ed. Joseph Y. S. Cheng (Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong Press, 2020), 219-246.
- “Leadership in Hong Kong: The fragile ‘One Country Two Systems’ and the China factor”, in Leadership: Political-Economic, Regional Business and Socio-Community Contexts, ed. Tai Wei Lim and Carol Ma (Singapore: World Scientific, 2020), 121-131.
- “Two key stumbling blocks for Hong Kong’s democratization: Personal vote and Beijing’s policies”, in Political Parties, Party Systems and Democratization in East Asia, ed. Liang Fook Lye and Wilhelm Hofmeister (Singapore: World Scientific, 2011), 291-319.
- “Discrepancies, political discourses, and implications of China’s multidimensional diplomacy”, in Multidimensional Diplomacy of Contemporary China, ed. Simon Shen and Jean-Marc F. Blanchard (Lanham, MD.: Lexington Books, 2010), 47-69.
- “Understanding China’s ‘non-intervention policy’: Studying the case of Myanmar”, in Regional Leaders in the Global Security Arena–Interests, Strategies and Capabilities, ed. David Bosold and Kathrin Brockmann (Berlin: German Council on Foreign Affairs, 2009), 43-55.
Papers
Journal and Policy Papers
- “Hong Kong’s international status: No longer a middleman”, EAI Background Briefs 1452 (2019): 1-14.
- “The evolution of Chinese public diplomacy and the rise of think tanks” (with Seanon Wong), Place Branding and Public Diplomacy 14, iss. 1 (2018): 36-46.
- “The declining credibility of the traditional media in Hong Kong”, Asian Politics and Policy 6, iss. 1 (2014): 159-162.
- “China’s advancements in Central Asia: Limitations toward a regional power” (with Zhengxu Wang), East Asian Policy 1, no. 4 (2009): 5-13.
- “Re-interpreting China’s non-intervention policy towards Myanmar: Leverage, interests and intervention” (with Yongnian Zheng), Journal of Contemporary China 18, no. 61 (2009): 617-637.
- “Assessing China’s influence in Central Asia: A dominant regional power?” (with Zhengxu Wang), China Briefing Series 53 (2009): 1-14.
- “The new landscape of Hong Kong politics: 2008 Legislative Council Elections and its implications” (with Zhengxu Wang), China Discussion Paper 46 (2009): 1-16.
- “Grassroots participation in Hong Kong: 2007 District Council Elections and the aftermath” (with Yongnian Zheng), China Briefing Series 37 (2008): 1-13.
Conference and Seminar Papers
- “China and the Korean Peninsula Nuclear Crisis: Threat Perceptions, Narratives, and Soft-Interventions”, Korean Association of International Studies (KAIS) Summer Annual Academic Conference 2025–Deepening Global Security Challenges and Korea-Japan-China Cooperation, SONO Calm Yeosu, South Korea, Jun 25-27, 2025.
- “Neutralizing potential enemies: China’s diplomatic persuasion and economic statecraft in Indo-Pacific realignments”, International Studies Association (ISA) Asia-Pacific Region Conference 2023–Global Role of Asia-Indo Pacific in International Relations: Anthropocene, Peace and Security, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, Aug 8-10, 2023.
- “A critical analysis on the Maritime Silk Road and Indo-Pacific Strategy: Regional integration and diplomatic shifts in the context of China-US relations”, International Studies Association (ISA) Asia-Pacific Region Conference 2023–Global Role of Asia-Indo Pacific in International Relations: Anthropocene, Peace and Security, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, Aug 8-10, 2023.
- “Conceptualizing Chinese soft-intervention policy towards the Korean Peninsula: Denuclearization, regional stability and geo-strategic competition”, The World Congress for Korean Politics and Society 2023–Korea and a New World Order: Issues, Strategy, and Sustainability, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea, Jun 29-Jul 1, 2023.
- “Between public diplomacy and paradiplomacy: Hong Kong’s changing international status”, International Studies Association (ISA) Annual Convention–Globalization, Regionalism and Nationalism: Contending Forces in World Politics, Virtual Platform, Apr 6-9, 2021.
- “The rise of Chinese think tanks in the Belt and Road Initiative” (with Seanon Wong), International Studies Association (ISA)’s 59th Annual Convention–Power of Rules and Rule of Power, San Francisco, The United States, Apr 4-7, 2018.
- “Hong Kong’s external relations and international status”, Conference on Twenty Years After: Hong Kong’s Changes and Future under China’s Rule, The French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CFFC) and Department of Government and International Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Sep 21-22, 2017.
- “The rise of Chinese think tanks in the Belt and Road Initiative”, International Workshop on the Roles of Policy Analysis and Think Tanks in Policy Development in China, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, Aug 14-15, 2017.
- “Still a middleman? Studying the changing role of Hong Kong between China and the West after the handover”, Conference on the 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong SAR & Hong Kong Political Science Association (HKPSA) Annual Conference 2017, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, May 25, 2017.
- “The role of Hong Kong in shaping Sino-US relations”, International Studies Association (ISA)’s 55th Annual Convention–Spaces and Places: Geopolitics in an Era of Globalization, Toronto, Canada, Mar 26-29, 2014.
- “An analysis of the discrepancy of Chinese non-intervention policy towards Sudan”, The 3rd International Forum for Contemporary Chinese Studies (IFCCS)–China’s Development in the Post-Crisis Period, Xian, China, Sep 17-19, 2010.
- “The discrepancy of Chinese non-intervention policy–The case of North Korea”, The 3rd Annual China Postgraduate Network Conference, University of Oxford, Oxford, The United Kingdom, Apr 8-9, 2010.
- “Two key stumbling blocks for Hong Kong’s democratization: Personal vote and Beijing’s policies”, International Conference on Political Parties, Party Systems and Democratization in East Asia, jointly organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung & East Asian Institute of National University of Singapore, Singapore, Aug 13, 2009.
- “The rise of China and the discrepancy of Chinese foreign policy”, Universities Service Centre for China Studies (USCCS) and Chinese University of Hong Kong–Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation Asia-Pacific Centre for Chinese Studies–Fifth Annual Graduate Seminar on China, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Jan 7-10, 2009.
- “Stagnation of political development in Hong Kong: 2008 Legislative Council Elections and its implications”, School of Contemporary Chinese Studies–Brown Bag Seminar, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, The United Kingdom, Dec 4, 2008.
- “The assertive outlook, challenges and gestures of a rising military China”, International Forum for Contemporary Chinese Studies (IFCCS) Inaugural Conference–Post-Olympic China: Globalisation and Sustainable Development after Three Decades of Reform, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, The United Kingdom, Nov 19-21, 2008.
- “The changing Chinese foreign policy in the 21st century: A study of discrepancy between Chinese principles and practices”, The 12th Annual Political Studies Association (PSA) Postgraduate CANE Conference–Politics – Change or Continuity? Politics in the 21st Century, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, The United Kingdom, Nov 8, 2008.
- “Understanding China’s non-intervention policy: The case of Myanmar”, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)’s 11th New Faces Conference – Regional Leaders in the Global Security Arena: Interests, Strategies and Capabilities, Berlin, Germany, Mar 31-Apr 2, 2008.
- “A systemic analysis on China’s non-intervention policy toward Myanmar”, The 11th Harvard East Asia Society (HEAS) Graduate Student Conference, Harvard University, Boston, The United States, Feb 29-Mar 2, 2008.
- “Myth and reality: Structure, electoral campaigns and voters of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB)”, Hong Kong Political Science Association (HKPSA) Annual Meeting, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, May 20, 2006.
- “Evaluate the role of China in building up the new international order”, The Sixth Baptist-Tsinghua Joint Conference–China in Transition: Domestic and International Challenges, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, May 18-20, 2006.
Others
Invited Speaking Engagements
- “Shaping security dynamics in Northeast Asia: Chinese soft-intervention policy in the Korean Peninsula”, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, Nov 30, 2023.
- “China’s new world order: Changes in the non-intervention policy”, Toyo University, Tokyo, Japan, Nov 28, 2022.
- “China’s new world order: Changes in the non-intervention policy”, The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Sep 22, 2022.
- “China’s new world order: Changes in the non-intervention policy”, Tokyo International University Global Dialogue Series, Saitama, Japan, Jun 15, 2022.
- “Projecting China’s hard power in the 21st century: General discourse”, Center for Indonesia-China Studies, Virtual Platform, Jun 3, 2022.
- “Chinese soft-intervention policy towards North Korea, Myanmar and the two Sudans”, Toyo University, Virtual Platform, Jul 19, 2021.
- “An international Hong Kong for whom? Explaining the conflicts between the West, China and Hong Kongers”, Institute for International Strategy Open Seminar, Tokyo International University, Virtual Platform, May 19, 2021.
- “Is China a self-restraint power? The changing Chinese non-intervention policy and its implications for the world order”, East Asian Institute Seminar, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Mar 1, 2019
- “A norm-maker or a hypocritical rising power? The study of China’s two policy faces”, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Brown Bag Seminar, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Feb 27, 2019.
- “Changes in China-Myanmar relations: Rationales and means of China’s soft-intervention policy”, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies Roundtable Discussions, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Feb 22, 2019.
- “Introduction to Chinese politics” and “Party and ideologies”, Teaching about China in India Faculty Training Workshop, United Board-Harvard-Yenching Institute-Christ University, Bengaluru, India, Jan 10, 2018.
- “The One Belt One Road Initiative and China’s new world order”, The National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS), Japan’s Ministry of Defense, Tokyo, Japan, Nov 7, 2017.
- “The role of think tank in Chinese public diplomacy: The case of the Belt and Road Initiative”, Global China Research Working Seminar, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Oct 6, 2017.
- “The political perspective of China in the Year of Rooster”, Young China Watchers Roundtable Discussion, Hong Kong, 22 Feb, 2017.
- “What is the rise of China and how could China affect the world order?”, Savantas Liberal Arts Academy, Hong Kong, Nov 7, 2015.
- “Civil society and the sustainability of voluntary services”, Central & Western District and Island District, Social Welfare Department, The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong, Oct 21, 2006.
Work in Progress
- “Between public diplomacy and paradiplomacy: Hong Kong’s changing international status”.
- “Challenges of Xi Jinping’s foreign policy: Political trust and intersubjective understandings in the regions?” (with Tai Wei Lim).
- Regional Responses to the First Decade of Xi Jinping’s Foreign Policy, 2012-2022 (with Tai Wei Lim), World Scientific.
- “The Indo-Pacific strategy and the maritime Silk Road”, in Handbook on the Maritime Silk Road, ed. Tai Wei Lim, Palgrave Macmillan.
- “The multi-spatial nature of the EU’s relations with China (PRC, ROC, Hong Kong and Macao)” (with Wai Ting).
- “Theorizing Xi Jinping’s foreign policy and the recipients’ perspective” (with Tai Wei Lim).
Hak Yin Li 