China In Context

The sudden emergence of DeepSeek's AI chatbot earlier this year reminded the world of just how fast Chinese technology is developing. But it's also highlighted continuing tensions over China's technological rise — US Vice President JD Vance recently spoke of America being in an ‘arms race' with China for control of Artificial Intelligence: the US has banned the export of its most advanced chips to China, and is now trying to stop companies around the world from using China's own latest chips. It's also sanctioned numerous Chinese tech firms due to security fears. The EU meanwhile has imposed tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles, amidst concerns about unfair subsidies. But as its technology improves, is China winning the ‘tech war'? And what does this mean for Taiwan, currently the world's largest chip manufacturer? These topics are explored in a new audio book, ‘Global Tech Wars - China's Race to Dominate', by James Kynge, who recently left the Financial Times, where he reported on China for almost three decades. Now a senior fellow at MERICS (the Mercator Institute for Chinese Studies) in Berlin, he discusses his findings with presenter Duncan Hewitt.Image © Adobe Stock________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

After the drama of Donald Trump's Liberation Day and the 145 percent tariffs he imposed on China, and Beijing's retaliation with 125 percent tariffs, the two countries have agreed a 90 day pause while they engage in further negotiations. But with the US recently announcing that it would seek to punish any business using advanced chips made by the Chinese IT giant Huawei anywhere in the world, and Beijing threatening retaliatory measures against anyone who complies, what are the prospects for a meaningful and lasting trade deal? On this episode we hear the views of two Americans with decades of experience in China, Kenneth Jarrett, a former US Consul General in Shanghai who is now the Senior Advisor in Shanghai for the strategic advisory firm Albright Stonebridge Group , and Jim McGregor, Chairman for Greater China of the consultancy APCO Worldwide, and formerly the head of Dow Jones in China.Image © Adobe Stock________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

In the face of Donald Trump's tariffs, will China's plans to boost its domestic consumer economy succeed — or could the government in Beijing be tempted to introduce massive stimulus measures, as it did after the financial crisis in 2008? In this episode of China in Context, leading scholar Yasheng Huang, professor of global economics and management at MIT's Sloan School of Management, explains why China's political resilience in a trade war may be greater than its economic resilience — and argues that, despite the current obsession with high technology, reforms of land ownership and the rights of rural citizens and migrant labourers could be key to China's long term economic prosperity.Professor Huang's forthcoming book, Statism with Chinese Characteristics — a revised version of his 2008 work Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics — draws on lessons from China's response to the 2008 crisis to highlight the country's current challenges.________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

Taiwan is facing a range of challenges — from Donald Trump's threat of 32% tariffs on its crucial exports to the US, to massive Chinese military exercises off its coastline aimed at intimidating the island's leaders. If that weren't enough, the DPP administration, led by President William Lai, has seen its budget slashed by Taiwan's legislature, which is now dominated by its main rival, the KMT, or Chinese Nationalist Party. It's resulted in months of protests and political wrangling. So how will Taiwan's economy and society cope with these challenges? In the latest episode of China in Context, Dr. Michael Reilly, senior fellow on the Taiwan Studies Programme at the University of Nottingham, and a former British diplomat who was previously the UK's senior representative in Taiwan, analyses the island's political and economic situation, in conversation with Duncan Hewitt.Photo credit: 總統府 / CC BY 2.0________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

At this month's legislative session China announced policies to maintain GDP growth at 5%, boost consumption and the private sector and promote AI and high tech industry, from quantum computing to the low altitude economy. But will it be enough to reassure consumers and investors — and does the higher than GDP growth increase in defence spending in the budget, and the continuing crackdown on corruption hint that the leadership's top priorities are still security and stability rather than growth? Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute and co-author of the recent book, The Political Thought of Xi Jinping, and George Magnus, former Chief Economist at UBS, and a Research Associate at SOAS and at the Oxford University China Centre, share their views.________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

In this episode we look at the life and work of Lynn Pan, one of the most imaginative of writers in English about modern China and particularly Shanghai, who died last year, and was commemorated at a special event at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival earlier this month. Her books, including In Search of Old Shanghai, The New Chinese Revolution, Sons of the Yellow Emperor, Shanghai Style and When True Love Came to China, were accessible, often witty, and always deeply researched. Duncan Hewitt discusses her legacy with Paul French, author of Midnight in Peking and Her Lotus Year, Frances Wood,  SOAS Research Associate and former curator of Chinese collections at the British Library, and Michelle Garnaut, founder of the Shanghai Literary Festival. With a further contribution from Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Chancellor's Professor of History at University of California, Irvine.Photo of Lynn Pan by Robert Martin.________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

With the US imposing new tariffs on Chinese exports, the state of the country's domestic economy has become all the more crucial. Despite healthy export growth in recent years, at home consumer confidence has plummeted, with rising youth unemployment and a slump in the once booming housing market. Will recent government steps to reassure consumers and entrepreneurs and stimulate property sales be enough to revive the economy? Or does soaring local government debt mean more creative solutions are required?In this episode, we hear two perspectives on China's economic challenges — from economist Andy Rothman, founder of Sinology LLC, and Professor Victor Shih, director of the 21st Century China Center at the University of California San Diego, and author of the newly published book, Elite Conflicts and the Path to Economic Decentralization (2025, CUP).________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

Donald Trump's new tariffs on Chinese exports may only boost the trend for Chinese companies to seek new markets and manufacturing bases overseas — including in Africa, where China is now the biggest trading partner and source of loans. On this episode, we discuss 'Made in Ethiopia', a new film looking at the human impact of Chinese involvement in Africa's industrialisation, with its directors Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan — and debate China's wider relationship with the continent with Professor Carlos Oya, head of the Department of Development Studies at SOAS, University of London.________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

Donald Trump is promising to challenge China on everything from its exports to its global influence over the next four years, but what could this mean in practice? Professor Miles Yu of the Hudson Institute, principal advisor on China policy to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the first Trump administration, and Professor Evan Medeiros of Georgetown University, former senior director for Asia at the White House National Security Council under President Obama share their views on China in Context.________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

At the recent COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, China was seen as having played a part in getting an agreement — albeit a much criticised one — to increase funding to mitigate the climate crisis. And with Donald Trump threatening to pull the U.S, out of climate change mechanisms, Beijing's role could become even more important. But China, now the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, continues to reject calls for it to be given developed nation status, which would require it to make increased financial contributions to tackle climate change. Journalist Isabel Hilton, founder of China Dialogue, discuses China's role in the climate talks, and its domestic environmental problems, with presenter Duncan Hewitt.________________________________________In the light of recent developments, this episode was edited on 10 December 2024 to remove a more detailed reference to the podcast's former host, Duncan Bartlett, who left China in Context in September 2024. The SOAS China Institute would like to express its condemnation of his abhorrent behaviour, of which it was unaware at the time, and for which he has now been jailed, and expresses the utmost sympathy to his victims.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

What will Donald Trump's re-election mean for relations between China and the US? Is Beijing alarmed by his threats of massive new trade tariffs, and the unpredictability that he likes to boast about? Or will it see his relative lack of interest in global affairs — and his love of a deal — as a chance to increase its leverage and put more pressure on Taiwan, while boosting its influence in the South China Sea? Presenter Duncan Hewitt discusses these issues with Jim McGregor, Chairman for Greater China at APCO Worldwide, Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, and BBC Asia correspondent Rupert Wingfield-Hayes.  This podcast was recorded on 13 November 2024, shortly before it was confirmed that Donald Trump had nominated Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X / Twitter SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

The Chinese Communist Party guides the thinking of the masses through slogans. Some of these are written in huge letters on walls around the country. They are studied by party members, who try to figure out how society should respond. One of the most famous slogans is "reform and opening up." It has been in constant use since the late 1970s and although its meaning has changed significantly since then, Sinologists believe it remains a guiding principle for Xi Jinping. In this podcast, presenter Duncan Bartlett asks Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, about the meaning of the phrase and its significance.

The head of the CIA, Bill Burns has described Vladimir Putin as a bully who presents the greatest threat to world peace. The idea that Russia and China may partner to launch a joint provocation is a particular concern for the US and its allies. In this podcast, Samuel Ramani from the defence think tank RUSI provides his assessment of the risks associated with the so-called "no limits" partnership between China and Russia. The presenter is the usual host, Duncan Bartlett.

The battle for supremacy in Asia has a new flashpoint in the South China Sea. It is known as the Sabina Shoal and it lies near the Philippines, a nation which is locked in a maritime dispute with China. This has led to collisions between boats, the use of water cannons and threats of a serious escalation. Other nations are watching warily. In this podcast, the Daily Telegraph's Asia Correspondent Nicola Smith offers a compelling account of her experiences in the region to presenter Duncan Bartlett.

There is a rising mood of bipartisan hostility towards China in Washington ahead of the 2024 election. If Donald Trump returns to the White House, he intends to impose steep tariffs on Chinese exports. His Democratic party opponent, Kamala Harris has said that "America, not China" will win the competition for the 21st century. In this podcast, James McGregor, Director of APCO Worldwide, uses his extensive knowledge of China-US relations to analyse the positions of the presidential candidates. The host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

Two pandas which have been on an extended diplomatic mission to Australia are soon to be recalled to China. Fu Ni 福妮 and Wang Wang 网网) (PRON: "wong wong") have been living happily together at Adelaide Zoo since 2009. However, China wants them back by the end of 2024. They'll be replaced by a younger pair of animals. Australia's government seems pleased with the panda deal. But what about its relationship with China in other areas? In this podcast, regular host Duncan Bartlett speaks with Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology in Sydney.

Taiwan and China are practicing for war. China's People's Liberation Army has increased the number of ships and warplanes conducting drills around the island. The Taiwanese air force has responded with live-fire exercises. In this podcast, Bill Emmott, chair of the IISS think tank, discusses what might deter China from using force against Taiwan. The host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

The world's biggest technology company Apple has close ties to China. Although it is based in California, where it designs famous products, a huge proportion of its gear is assembled in China. Furthermore, Chinese consumers continue to crave Apple iPhones. But critics allege that in order to gain the approval of the Communist Party, Apple assists with censorship and the suppression of political dissent. In this podcast, Benjamin Ismail from the Apple Censorship Project shares his views with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

NATO's Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg has warned that China is conducting a huge military build-up. He says China is investing heavily in modern missiles, including an arsenal of nuclear weapons. NATO has ordered its forces to be prepared to counter China's assertive behaviour in the South China Sea and threats to Taiwan. However, China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi insists that it is NATO which presents the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific. In his view, NATO intervention in the region is bound to "trigger confrontation and escalate tensions." In this podcast, Dr Mercy Kuo from Pamir Consulting analyses the rhetoric from both sides. The presenter is regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

A bi-partisan group of politicians in Washington has called for sanctions to be imposed on officials in Hong Kong. They claim the officials - acting on instructions from Beijing - use tough laws to try to silence political opposition and intimidate those who advocate for democratic principles. In this podcast, veteran journalist Stephen Vines explains the impact of legislation in Hong Kong on the media and wider society. The presenter is regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

The war in Ukraine has made the Russian leader Vladimir Putin something of a pariah in the West but he still meets regularly with Xi Jinping. In theory, Russia and China enjoy a no-limits partnership. But are there constraints on their relationship? Abigaël Vasselier is a former diplomat and is currently Director for Policy and European Affairs and heads the Foreign Relations team at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), a think tank based in Berlin. She is also a SOAS alumna. On this podcast Abigaël discusses Russia and China with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

Manufacturers of Chinese electric vehicles intend to build their companies into powerhouses to rival Volkswagen and Renault. The Chinese government backs their expansion into new markets, including Europe. This has caused political tension and as a result, a trade war is looming between China and Europe. On this podcast, Duncan Wrigley, Chief China Plus Economist for Pantheon Macroeconomics, discusses the situation with Zeyu Xu of Xinhua News in Beijing.

The best-selling book Wild Swans by Jung Chang contains harrowing accounts of life in China during the 20th Century. It covers the Japanese occupation of Manchuria, the civil war, the establishment of the CCP and the Cultural Revolution. In this podcast, Dr Chang gives a riveting account of how these momentous events impacted her mother and grandmother. She also shares her perspective on the lives of women in today's Chinese society. The presenter is regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

North Korea is a troublesome neighbour for China. At one level, its Workers' Party, led by Kim Jong-Un, claims fraternity with the Chinese Communist Party. But Marshall Kim follows his own agenda, including belligerent rhetoric against South Korea, the United States and Japan. He's also nurturing his relationship with Vladimir Putin. In this podcast, former BBC China editor Howard Zhang explains how China views the situation in the region. The host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

China has a strategy to forge partnerships with countries in the so-called Global South. This pits it against other influential nations which also claim to be international leaders. Furthermore, many people in developing countries resent being pressed to pick sides. The podcast includes a discussion on Chinese foreign policy between Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute and regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

Tension rose in East Asia following the inauguration of the Taiwanese president Lai Ching-Te in May 2024. China dispatched fighter jets, bombers armed with live missiles and naval vessels into areas very close to Taiwan's east coast. Was this a signal that under the leadership of Xi Jinping, China could be prepared to launch an amphibious assault on the island, with a clear ambition to take out its democratically-elected president and place it under the rule of the CCP? In this podcast, Rear Admiral Mike Studeman from the United States Navy discusses the risk of conflict over Taiwan with regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

Tibet, on China's border with India, is seen as having great strategic importance to Beijing. The region, which has been prone to unrest, has been under Chinese control since 1950. Its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama is in exile in India but plans to visit the United States this summer. In this podcast, Michael Bristow, China Correspondent for the BBC World Service, discusses Tibet's political significance with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

China's leaders have taken a sharply critical tone against Israel over its war with the Palestinian militant group, Hamas. They have also suggested that the United States is exploiting and exasperating long-running conflicts in the Middle East. In this podcast, Richard Spencer, a correspondent for The Times newspaper, warns that a regional conflagration would be damaging for both China and America. The host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

China is becoming a dominant force in the online realm in Southeast Asia. Partnerships through a network known as the Digital Silk Road enable China to have extensive influence on how people access the internet in countries such as Cambodia, Nepal and Thailand. In this podcast, campaigner Michael Caster explains what he sees as a battle for free speech in the region. The podcast is presented by regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

The prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, regards China as a "pillar of the new world order." Mr Orban admires leaders such as Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, who are challenging the western-led system. Professor Hanns Maull from the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) believes that Xi Jinping's visit to Hungary in May 2024 showed that he is "promoting autocracy." The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett.

Xi Jinping is urging Chinese companies to compete vigorously with other countries in the development of advanced technology, including high end computer chips. There is an ideological basis to the strategy: Xi Jinping has spoken about China becoming much more self-reliant. But the battle for supremacy in tech causes tension in the realm of international relations, as Dr Olivia Cheung, Research Fellow at the SOAS China Institute explains to regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

Japan has taken a tough stance on China, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida firmly committed to upholding the American vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” But China is also a huge market for Japanese companies for which talk of “decoupling” from China is regarded as commercial folly. In this podcast, Duncan Bartlett, a Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute, offers his views on how the two Asian rivals see each other. The host is John Andrews, former Asia Editor of The Economist.

China's factories have pumped out so many solar panels that other countries are complaining. Some people are said to be lining their garden fences with the panels, due to a global glut of the product. This is being held up as an example of a new type of "China shock". Previously, China's economic rise caused a shock to trade and the labour markets. Companies which were unable to withstand the intense competition often laid off staff. In this podcast, Rory Green, China Economist, GlobalData TS Lombard discusses the situation with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

China has emphasised its pro-Palestinian stance during the Israel-Gaza war. It has been critical of Washington's handling of the situation, especially the American policy of arming Israel. In this podcast, Dr Mercy Kuo from Pamir Consulting considers how China's role in the Middle East has developed since President Xi Jinping came to power. The host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

The introduction of advanced surveillance technologies has given the Chinese Communist Party powerful tools. It collects information related to people's spending habits. It is also able to record how they act at work, and even in their homes. Is the state justified in using these tools to influence people's behaviour? In this podcast, Professor Minxin Pei at Claremont McKenna College in California, USA discusses his recent book The Sentinel State: Surveillance and the Survival with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

The escalating Houthi attacks in the Red Sea region are creating economic and security concerns globally. The US and UK have responded with airstrikes against Houthi sites in Yemen, in an attempt to prevent the group from endangering freedom of navigation and disrupting trade. The repercussions are also felt in China, a powerful maritime nation. On this podcast, Christopher S. Tang, a professor in Business Administration at the Anderson School of UCLA in California, considers how China and other countries are seeking to mitigate the risks. The podcast is hosted by regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

China is quickly amassing weapons and systems to militarily overwhelm Taiwan, according to a senior US admiral. John Aquilino told a recent hearing in Washington that China could be poised to take such an action within the next six years. If conflict breaks out, it would be a grave matter to deal with, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel. In this podcast, Dr Gerrit van der Wees, who teaches Taiwan's history and current affairs at George Mason University in Washington, considers the crucial relationship between Taiwan and the United States. The podcast is hosted by regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

The government of Anthony Albanese in Australia has sought to stabilise the relationship with China and avoid heated rhetoric. As a result, China has agreed to relax a 200% tariff on Australian wine, which was imposed during a period of diplomatic strife. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong says: “We seek to cooperate with China where we can, disagree where we must and engage in our national interest.” In this podcast, James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at University of Technology in Sydney, offers his analysis of the situation in conversation with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, John Lee has been instructed by his superiors in mainland China to enact further strict security legislation in the city without delay. Pro-democracy advocates warn the move will have a detrimental impact on civil liberties. The proposed new laws cover treason, insurrection, incitement and collusion with external forces. Penalties range from a few years in jail to life imprisonment. In this podcast, renowned law professor Michael C Davis - who lived in Hong Kong for many years - offers his analysis of the proposed new laws to regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

The authorities in China are trying to put an end to a three-year stock market decline and win back the confidence of overseas traders. It is not proving an easy process. Investors cite a range of reasons to be cautious about the Chinese market, including a slowdown in growth, doubts about the reliability of information and opaque policymaking. In this podcast, Duncan Wrigley, Chief China Economist at Pantheon Economics, discusses the volatility on the Chinese market with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

Just a few years ago, it would have been inconceivable that a Chinese company would disrupt the automotive industry by exporting vast quantities of cheap, reliable electric vehicles. But the Chinese company BYD has overtaken Tesla in terms of overall sales and it is determined to win market share from long-established car giants, such as Volkswagen and Toyota. Does BYD's success result from generous government subsidies? Or, as its bosses claim, it is just better at taking risks than its rivals? In this podcast, Dr Mercy Kuo, Executive Vice President and geopolitical risk advisor at Pamir Consulting, offers her analysis of BYD and other Chinese companies to regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

Protest art was everywhere in Hong Kong a few years ago. Then the Chinese authorities introduced tough new laws which they said were designed to prevent sedition. Most of the art was torn down and some of its creators fled the city in fear. However, memories are kept alive online, especially of a statue portraying a young female protestor, dubbed Lady Liberty, who brandished a flag reading “Free Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times.” San San F. Young - director of the documentary Hong Kong Mixtape - tells Lady Liberty's story to regular podcast host, Duncan Bartlett.

Chinese politics have been transformed since Xi Jinping became paramount leader in 2012. He has accumulated power in a way unprecedented since the era of Mao Zedong and he expects China's people to study his ideology, just as Chairman Mao's supporters studied his 'Little Red Book'. Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, and Olivia Cheung, Research Fellow at the SOAS China Institute, have co-authored a new book on the philosophy of the Chinese leader, 'The Political Thought of Xi Jinping', which was recently published by Oxford University Press. In this podcast, Professor Tsang discusses the book's themes with Isabel Hilton, visiting Professor at King's College London and the founder of China Dialogue.

Believers in the Chinese zodiac say that this could be an auspicious year for Xi Jinping. It's been 12 years since he replaced Hu Jintao as general secretary of China's Communist Party. Xi uses sophisticated media systems to ensure that all citizens study his thoughts. This has helped to ensure that he has overwhelming control of the Chinese political system and society. In this podcast, Chun Han Wong, a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, discusses how Xi views leadership, Taiwan and US-China relations. The host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.

Giorgia Meloni - leader of a right wing party - has confounded her critics since becoming prime minister of Italy. She has taken on major diplomatic challenges and is currently enjoying attention as the president of the G7 group of industrialised nations. Ms Meloni has said that Italy will no longer be a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a scheme designed to promote investment in infrastructure. In this podcast, the author and journalist Bill Emmott discusses Ms Meloni's political approach with regular host, Duncan Bartlett. Mr Emmott is Chair of the IISS think tank.

China's population is shrinking. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that it has fallen by about three million in two years. This puts pressure on the economy, as the number of people in work is also in decline, at the time as the group of retired and elderly people is increasing. One hope is that 2024 will see a bump in births, as it is the year of the dragon in Chinese astrology, a symbol of good fortune. In this podcast, Paul Hodges, Chairman of New Normal Consulting considers China's demographic dilemma during a discussion with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

China has sought to portray Taiwan's new president Lai Ching-te Lai, also known as William Lai, as a dangerously pro-independence provocateur. The Chinese Communist Party has reiterated that there is only one China in the world and has claimed that Taiwan is part of China. In this podcast, historian Dr Gerrit van der Wees considers how the new president will handle relations with China, as well as decide on foreign policy towards other countries, such as the US and Japan. The host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.

Xi Jinping and Joe Biden have exchanged greetings to mark the start of the new year, noting the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said cooperation between China and the US is an imperative. Nevertheless, many potential obstacles stand in the way of a smooth relationship, as James McGregor, Chairman of APCO Worldwide's Greater China region, explains in this podcast. The host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs.

China has been trying to persuade the world's super wealthy that it remains a good place to invest. It throws parties where the finest champagne flows to show its enthusiasm for international business. Yet confidence has been undermined by political interference in the affairs of many firms. In this podcast, Duncan Wrigley, Chief China Plus economist, Pantheon Macroeconomics, discusses China's tactics with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.

In the early 1990s, China enjoyed a period of rapid economic progress, as the government emphasised the importance of so-called pillar industries, including construction. In this podcast, Rory Green, Chief China Economist, TS Lombard suggests it's time for China to concentrate on new pillars to support the next stage of its development. The host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett from the SOAS China Institute.

The FBI claims that spying by China represents the "defining threat of this generation". It says a vast network of agents in China and abroad are gathering secrets on an unprecedented scale, spreading disinformation and disrupting democratic processes. In this podcast, Calder Walton from Harvard University explains the conclusions of his new book 'Spies: The epic intelligence war between East and West' (2023) to regular host, Duncan Bartlett.