2026 LLG Lecture (29th Edition): How and Why Global South Countries Hedge amid U.S.-China Rivalry: Evidence from Southeast Asia

To commemorate Mr. Lim Lian Geok and promote the dissemination of new academic knowledge, the LLG Cultural Development Centre established the “LLG Lecture” in 1991. Since then, internationally renowned scholars and experts have been invited to Malaysia for academic visits and lectures, as well as to deliver special talks, with the aim of enriching academic and cultural development and fostering intellectual exchange.

The 29th LLG Lecture, organised by the LLG Cultural Development Centre, jointly organised by the Youth Section of The Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall  (KLSCAH Youth), and co-organised by The Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) alongside Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies, The Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association, Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Hokkien Association, Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Guangxi Association, with Sin Chew Daily as the media partner, will take place on 10 October 2026 (Saturday) at 2:00 pm at the Cheng Yi Auditorium, KLSCAH.

This year’s lecture features Dr. Kuik Cheng-Chwee, Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Drawing on the perspective of international relations, the lecture will examine why countries in the Global South—particularly those in Southeast Asia—adopt hedging strategies amid intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, and how such strategies enable them to manage the challenges, risks, and uncertainties associated with great-power competition.

The session will be moderated by Dr. Ngu Ik Tien, Senior Lecturer from the Department of Chinese Studies at the University of Malaya. The lecture will be conducted in English, with a bilingual (English and Mandarin) Q&A session.

Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. Members of the public interested in international relations, U.S.-China competition, Southeast Asian diplomacy, and Global South issues are warmly invited to register and attend.

Event details:

Date: 10 October 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Refreshments Provided)
Venue: Cheng Yi Auditorium, KLSCAH

Language: English (Q&A in English & Mandarin)

Speaker: Dr. Kuik Cheng-Chwee (Professor of International Relations, IKMAS, UKM)
Moderator: Dr. Ngu Ik Tien (Senior Lecturer, Department of Chinese Studies, UM)

Organiser: LLG Cultural Development Centre
Joint Organiser: Youth Section of The Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall  (KLSCAH Youth)
Co-organisers: The Kuala Lumpur And Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies, The Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Association, Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Hokkien Association, Selangor And Kuala Lumpur Guangxi Association

Media Partner: Sin Chew Daily

Admission: Free Registration
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/36EDnE7wMYTRmn8U6
Enquiries: 019-2802496 (Tan Kian Fatt)