Washington ? Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin emerged from a two-month absence from public view with a private talk, heavy on foreign policy, to a group of investors in Hong Kong.

Her 90-minute speech Wednesday at an investment conference touched on issues from financial markets to health care, Afghanistan and U.S-China relations. It was generally considered more moderate in tone than those Palin delivered during her 2008 campaign for vice president as Republican John McCain’s running mate.

Palin, who stepped down as governor July 26, is widely believed to be pondering a run for president. In a straw poll this month, she finished in a four-way tie for second-place among religious conservatives, trailing former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Palin was paid an undisclosed amount, said to be in the low six figures, for the 90-minute speech.

She has said one of the reasons she resigned was to pay legal bills that have topped $500,000.

The speech was closed to reporters, but Palin later posted lengthy excerpts on her Facebook page.