18 Feb 2026
Speaking on 20 years of correctly predicting China's advances in technology and soft power projection
Mark Logan, former Member of Parliament, delivered the keynote speech at the London School of Economics China Development Forum (CDF), addressing one of the most consequential questions facing the international community: China at the Crossroads.
Speaking before an audience of over 400 policymakers, academics, and industry leaders from across the globe, Logan offered a compelling and wide-ranging analysis of China's evolving position on the world stage. His address spanned the intersecting themes of artificial intelligence, emerging technology, diplomacy, and soft power - issues sitting at the very heart of this year's forum agenda.
Logan's keynote set the tone for the day's discussions, challenging conventional narratives around China's global ambitions and urging a more nuanced understanding of how technology and cultural influence are reshaping international relations. His remarks drew on his experience in British politics to offer a uniquely grounded perspective on the geopolitical shifts unfolding between East and West.
Founded in 2009, the LSE China Development Forum has grown into one of Europe's leading China-focused conferences, and this year's edition proved no exception, with Logan's keynote standing out as a defining moment of the event.
His opening remarks can be viewed here: