On July 16, 2024, Asia Society Seattle and Northern California hosted a virtual conversation on the future of Hong Kong. The discussion included Scott Kennedy, Senior Adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Shibani Mahtani, international investigative correspondent for The Washington Post; Timothy McLaughlin, prize-winning contributing writer for The Atlantic; and Ronny Tong, Senior Counsel and non-official member of the Executive Council in Hong Kong, and founder of the think tank Path to Democracy. David Tang, Partner at K&L Gates, served as the moderator.

The panelists discussed Hong Kong's future as a financial hub, as well as the future of democracy and the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong in the wake of the passage of the 2024 National Security Law. The panel opened with a discussion of Hong Kong's tradition of resilience and reinvention, with speakers drawing attention to Hong Kong's recent pivot towards Eurasian and Southeast Asian markets, as well as the ongoing demographic shift as businesses relocate to Singapore and migration from mainland China increases. Panelists also highlighted the impact of China's economy and policies on Hong Kong. They then transitioned to discussing the political situation in Hong Kong and noting how the changes the city has undergone have concerned residents.

The speakers ended the discussion with options for Hong Kong's future, emphasizing the importance of including a diverse range of voices in the conversation.