Geopolitical Instability and Political Autonomy in Global Cities: Singapore and Hong Kong

Abstract Does the political autonomy of a global city contribute to the preservation of global city status in the context of declining geopolitical stability from great power rivalry? The theoretical contribution in this article is that their success depends on political autonomy to retain cordial relations with all major geopolitical powers and the confidence of international investors, corporations and workers in a functioning rule of law framework. Focusing on Hong Kong and Singapore, it is argued that the handover of Hong Kong from British colony to China, the abrupt diminution of the perceived rule of law standards and the New Cold War logic between the US and China are threatening Hong Kong’s global city status. Singapore indirectly benefits by maintaining cordial relations to both US and China.