Hong Kong’s unique position as a platform for semi-official diplomatic engagement between China and the United States is increasingly being recognized as vital amid rising tensions between the two countries. This mode of communication, known as Track 1.5 dialogue, combines elements of official government negotiation and unofficial civil society interaction, involving former officials, scholars, and business leaders who engage in candid discussions without the constraints of formal diplomatic protocols.

The late Tung Chee-hwa, Hong Kong’s first chief executive following its handover from British to Chinese sovereignty, played a pioneering role in fostering this type of dialogue. Beyond his official duties, Tung served as vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and founded the China-United States Exchange Foundation in 2008. This organization operated as a private vehicle to facilitate ongoing communication between senior American and Chinese figures during periods of governmental standstill, exemplifying Track 1.5’s role in sustaining dialogue through informal channels.

At a recent China-US Track 1.5 conference in Beijing, Liu Haixing, head of the Communist Party’s International Department, emphasized the importance of expanding shared interests and avoiding zero-sum competition. He advocated for a “normal stability” in bilateral relations characterized by manageable disagreements—a realistic approach aimed at maintaining a controlled rivalry rather than escalating conflict.

Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to support and institutionalize this delicate process due to its special legal framework, international business ties, and linguistic and cultural advantages. The city serves as a critical conduit where issues such as trade enforcement and export controls are discussed in advance, helping both governments and stakeholders calibrate their policies in ways that mitigate economic disruption.

Experts identify three primary avenues through which Hong Kong can enhance its role as a Track 1.5 hub. First is research and development, where the city’s universities have achieved growing global recognition. Hong Kong’s institutions can act as neutral venues for collaborative scientific work that might be politically sensitive if conducted directly between American and mainland Chinese universities. Second, institution-based exchanges—such as those facilitated by non-political organizations like the Yidan Prize Foundation—offer frameworks for sustained, high-level semi-official contact. Third, revitalizing student exchanges is seen as critical. With the number of American students in mainland China sharply declining from pre-pandemic levels, Hong Kong’s English-speaking environment, common law system, and proximity to the mainland make it an ideal location to rebuild these educational ties.

However, challenges remain. Limited student accommodation, slow visa processing, and insufficient integration of exchange participants into the local workforce restrict Hong Kong’s capacity to fully leverage this role. Addressing these logistical and administrative issues will be necessary to strengthen the city’s attractiveness as a venue for Track 1.5 dialogue.

While Hong Kong cannot determine the broader strategic competition between China and the United States, it has the potential to serve as the neutral ground where this rivalry is managed. The ongoing work of informal diplomacy that Tung Chee-hwa helped to establish underscores the city’s importance as a site of dialogue in an era of complex bilateral relations. How Hong Kong capitalizes on this legacy and adapts to evolving geopolitical realities will shape its place in the future of Sino-American engagement.