Gou Hongliang

Hongliang Gou is a PhD Candidate specializing in the politics and international relations of Southeast Asia. His academic journey showcases a coherent and deepening exploration of the region’s complex dynamics, progressing from sub-national political issues to broader geopolitical analyses. During his undergraduate studies, he developed a foundational expertise in Malaysian domestic politics, with a specific focus on the intricate interplay between ethnic relations and the politically sensitive process of electoral constituency delineation (gerrymandering). 

This early work provided him with a nuanced understanding of how internal state structures and identity politics shape national outcomes. Building on this, his Master's research expanded thematically and geographically to investigate the influence of external powers. He examined how a neighboring country’s soft power strategies interacted with and influenced the complex processes of nation-building and ethnic identity formation in Myanmar. Currently, at the doctoral level, his research has ascended to the regional strategic level. He is engaged in a critical examination of how intensifying major power competition—primarily between the United States and China—impacts and challenges the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

This work positions him at the heart of contemporary debates on regional governance and order. His broader research interests are comprehensive and methodologically diverse. They encompass ASEAN studies, Vietnamese foreign policy, and the broader spectrum of Southeast Asian international relations. Methodologically, he is keenly interested in applying social network analysis to unravel the complex relational structures of power, influence, and diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific. Furthermore, his scholarly perspective is informed by a deep interest in Chinese International Relations theory, allowing him to engage with non-Western theoretical frameworks in analyzing regional politics. 

In summary, Hongliang Gou is a scholar with a keen interest in Southeast Asian international relations and related diplomatic fields. He is also keen to employ novel, interdisciplinary research methodologies to study international politics in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to refine and apply Chinese international relations theory in interpreting and researching Southeast Asian international relations.

Hongliang Gou & Xuerui Hou. (2025). Vietnam’s Foreign Policy in the Era of Great Power Competition: Forming a Hierarchical Relational Circle [Manuscript submitted for Publication]

• ASEAN Studies: Specifically examining how great power competition impacts ASEAN's centrality
• Vietnamese Foreign Policy Studies: Investigating shifts in Vietnam's foreign policy during periods of great power competition and seeking alternative explanations for hedging strategies
• Applications of Social Network Analysis: Focusing specifically on strategic partnership networks within the Asia-Pacific region
• Chinese International Relations Theory: Specifically examining its interdisciplinary quantitative verification methods and applications to regional and global governance