In this EDGE 2026 session moderated by Harry Hui, Jing Huang, Jesper Koll, Victor Gao and Francisco Santos engage in a candid and at times confrontational discussion about the future of Asia’s geopolitical and economic order. Framing the shift from “Globalization 1.0” to “Globalization 2.0,” the panel explores how China’s expanding economic footprint is reshaping global governance, trade dynamics and power balances.

The debate addresses trust, nationalism, institutional decline, supply chain realignment and the prospect of a new Cold War between China and the United States. Rather than offering consensus, the session exposes competing narratives on peaceful rise, strategic rivalry and the fragility of global institutions, inviting leaders to rethink assumptions about the emerging Asian century.

TAKEAWAYS
• The transition from Globalization 1.0 to 2.0 is driving structural geopolitical friction
• Trust, not just economic power, defines long-term influence
• The post-war institutional order faces systemic strain
• Asia’s rise will depend on governance choices, regional cooperation and strategic restraint