Podcast appearances and mentions of James Kynge

Alice Han and James Kynge dig into why Apple is lobbying the Trump administration for permission to buy memory chips from a Chinese company on the Pentagon's military blacklist. With DRAM prices up nearly 100% in a single quarter — analysts are calling it "RAMageddon" — Apple already raised MacBook and iPad prices by up to 20%, and iPhones could be next. How far will Apple go to secure its supply chain, and what does it mean if Washington says yes? They also break down DeepSeek's landmark $7.4 billion funding round, which is the first time the Chinese AI startup has ever taken outside money. Tencent, CATL, and China's state-backed National AI Investment Fund are among the backers, and the valuation has jumped six-fold in six weeks to nearly $59 billion. DeepSeek built its reputation on doing more with less — so why does it need the money now? And finally: a new sign that China's middle class is changing what it puts on the table. The Economist calls it the "Californication" of Chinese diets: a growing appetite for organic, health-conscious food. Subscribe to China Decode on Substack for weekly analysis, livestreams, and deep dives into the biggest story shaping the global economy: chinadecode.profgmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alice Han and James Kynge dive into why JPMorgan has cut its Hong Kong employees off from Anthropic's Claude. That comes after Goldman Sachs quietly restricted AI access for their employees in the city. With ChatGPT already blocked on the mainland, are U.S. companies drawing a new line around Hong Kong? And what does it mean for the city's future as a global financial hub? They also discuss Lululemon's Great Wall yoga festival, which was meant to celebrate Chinese culture. Instead, a Japanese-style drum in the promotional imagery set off a nationalist firestorm — over 50 million views on Weibo and counting. It's the latest in a long line of foreign brand missteps in China. Why is it so hard to get it right? And finally: China hasn't qualified for the World Cup — but football fans have found someone to root for: Chinese referee Ma Ning, who has picked up sponsorships from Lenovo and Hisense and 210,000 new social media followers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alice Han and James Kynge break down reports that a Chinese robotics startup has topped a leading international benchmark for embodied AI, raising new questions about whether China is pulling ahead in one of the most important technological competitions of the decade. They also examine Xi Jinping's first trip to North Korea since 2019 and what it reveals about China's evolving relationships with Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump amid growing geopolitical tensions. Plus, China's government launches a sweeping crackdown on "ghost kitchens" after regulators uncovered tens of thousands of fake restaurants operating on major food delivery platforms. Subscribe to China Decode on Substack for weekly analysis, livestreams, and deep dives into the biggest story shaping the global economy: chinadecode.profgmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alice Han and James Kynge break down Huawei's bold new strategy to challenge Nvidia and the future of AI chips. They explore the rise of Huawei's influential "chip queen" He Tingbo, the company's attempt to move beyond Moore's Law, and what it could mean for the global semiconductor race. Then, tensions between China and Europe are heating up. With record trade deficits, growing concerns over Chinese imports, and new efforts to protect European industries, Alice and James examine whether a full-scale China-EU trade war is beginning to take shape. Finally, Hong Kong has officially overtaken Switzerland as the world's largest offshore wealth hub. They discuss what's driving the surge in cross-border wealth flowing through Hong Kong, why China's ultra-rich are increasingly keeping assets closer to home, and the risks that come with tying so much wealth to the fortunes of mainland China. Subscribe to China Decode on Substack for weekly analysis, livestreams, and deep dives into the biggest story shaping the global economy: chinadecode.profgmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alice Han and James Kynge break down why Russia is pushing hard for China to approve the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, what China's accelerating selloff of U.S. Treasuries could mean for the American economy, and how China became the first country to commercially approve a brain-computer implant — moving ahead of the U.S. and Elon Musk's Neuralink. They also explore the deepening China-Russia alliance, mounting pressure on the U.S. dollar, and whether China is beginning to pull ahead in the global race for technological dominance. Subscribe to China Decode on Substack for weekly analysis, livestreams, and deep dives into the biggest story shaping the global economy: chinadecode.profgmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump leaves Beijing claiming “fantastic” progress with Xi Jinping — but did the summit actually deliver meaningful results? Alice Han and James Kynge break down the biggest takeaways from the high-stakes Trump-Xi meeting, from the economic promises and simmering Taiwan tensions to the surprising role top CEOs like Elon Musk and Nvidia's Jensen Huang played throughout the trip. They discuss the real winners and losers of the summit, what companies like Apple, Tesla, Nvidia, and Boeing stand to gain, and whether any of the promised deals will actually materialize. They also unpack China's warning on Taiwan, the broader geopolitical stakes surrounding Iran and global energy markets, and the symbolism behind Trump's visit to the Temple of Heaven. Plus, they examine China's growing influence at Cannes, where AI, robotics, and film technology showcased the country's expanding soft power ambitions. Subscribe to China Decode on Substack for weekly analysis, livestreams, and deep dives into the biggest story shaping the global economy: chinadecode.profgmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump heads to Beijing this week for one of the most consequential U.S.-China meetings in years — with trade wars, Taiwan, AI, rare earths, and the fallout from the Iran conflict all hanging over the talks. Alice Han and James Kynge break down what Trump and Xi really want from the summit, why China may have more leverage than many in Washington realize, and how Beijing quietly used globalization to accelerate its technological rise. They also unpack a striking new study showing Chinese investors heavily targeted research-intensive firms across Europe and North America — raising a bigger question: did the West help build the competitor it's now trying to contain? Plus, Xi Jinping's military purge is intensifying. China has handed suspended death sentences to two former defense ministers as Xi continues reshaping the PLA ahead of a more dangerous geopolitical era. They discuss why Xi is trying to build a world-class fighting force while simultaneously hollowing out large parts of its leadership. Also: China Decode will be LIVE this Friday at 10AM ET on Prof G Plus with Kevin Xu to break down the first day of the Trump-Xi talks and what comes next. Subscribe to China Decode on Substack for weekly analysis, livestreams, and deep dives into the biggest story shaping the global economy: chinadecode.profgmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alice Han and James Kynge break down how China is rapidly closing the gap in the global space race, with record-breaking launches, ambitious moon missions, and technology that's raising eyebrows in Washington. Then, a massive $2 trillion generational wealth transfer is underway — but with no inheritance tax in place, what does that mean for inequality, government revenue, and the future of “common prosperity”? And finally: from robotic arms in orbit to robots in the kitchen. As AI and automation spread across China's economy — even into dim sum kitchens — regulators are stepping in. But is China actually setting the global standard for how AI should be governed?Subscribe on Substack for ad-free episodes and much more!

The race for global AI supremacy is accelerating—and getting messier. Alice Han and James Kynge break down the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China as accusations of AI model “distillation” and intellectual theft collide with China's own rapid breakthroughs, including DeepSeek's latest powerful new model. But the competition isn't just happening in code. While Washington warns of industrial-scale AI copying, Wall Street is quietly increasing exposure to China through record renminbi borrowing and offshore “dim sum” bonds—suggesting a deeper financial realignment underway beneath the geopolitical friction. And inside China, a very different story is unfolding: a rising trend of “pretend-to-work” offices, where young people are paying just to simulate employment amid growing youth unemployment and economic pressure. Subscribe on Substack for ad-free episodes and much more!

Alice Han and James Kynge break down the forces reshaping China's economy and its growing influence in the global AI race. They start with the macro picture: China's Q1 GDP came in stronger than expected, but the headline number masks a more uneven recovery — with infrastructure spending doing much of the heavy lifting, while consumer demand remains soft, property prices continue to fall, and auto sales stay under pressure. From there, they move into one of the most striking shifts in the global tech economy: China's emerging advantage in AI. In particular, its rapid rise as a leading exporter of “tokens” — the computational units that power large language models and agentic AI systems. With lower costs, rapid scaling, and increasingly competitive open-weight models, Chinese AI firms are beginning to reshape global pricing and usage dynamics across the industry. They also examine Beijing's expanding use of export controls — spanning rare earth minerals to advanced solar technologies — and how this evolving strategy fits into a broader effort to manage global supply chains and respond to rising economic decoupling. Finally, they turn to China's domestic innovation boom, from unconventional consumer products like in-car toilets and water bikes to headline-grabbing advances in robotics, including a humanoid robot that recently completed a half-marathon ahead of human runners. Is this just spectacle, or a signal of deeper industrial and engineering momentum? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tensions in West Asia are escalating fast. Trump is threatening Iran, while China and Pakistan step in with a surprise peace plan that could reshape the conflict—and global energy markets. Alice Han and James Kynge break down whether it could actually de-escalate the crisis or shift the balance of power in the region. They also dig into China's new trade investigations against the U.S. and a major FBI cyber breach, exploring what these developments mean for the upcoming Trump-Xi summit and the broader U.S.-China relationship. Finally, Alice and James look at China's AI boom, as models like OpenClaw surge in usage, transforming cloud pricing and the global AI landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alice Han and James Kynge break down how China is navigating a delicate balancing act as the Iran conflict intensifies — protecting its energy supply while avoiding direct alignment. They also unpack BYD's global expansion and what it means for Tesla as the EV race heats up. And in Chongqing, a massive new escalator system offers a striking look at China's approach to infrastructure, scale, and urban life — plus a quick check-in on the markets to start the week. Subscribe on Substack for ad-free episodes and much more!

Alice Han and James Kynge break down why Apple is bending to Beijing — and why it still may not be enough. As Tim Cook doubles down on China, Trump delays a major summit with Xi, raising new doubts about China's global power. And behind it all, China's massive museum boom is quietly reshaping the country's story — and its influence on the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the war with Iran escalates, the United States is shifting military assets back to the Middle East — raising new questions about whether Washington can stay focused on the Indo-Pacific and China. Alice Han and James Kynge speak with Gulf Research Center chief economist Dr. John Sfakianakis about how the conflict could reshape global power dynamics and whether Beijing may gain strategic breathing room while U.S. attention is divided. Then, a new set of university rankings is fueling debate over the future of global research. Chinese universities are climbing rapidly, backed by massive state investment and a surge in scientific output. Finally, China's electric vehicle giant BYD is reportedly exploring a dramatic new move to boost its global brand: entering Formula One. We look at what it would mean for the sport — and for China's ambitions in the global auto industry. Subscribe on Substack for ad-free episodes and much more! chinadecode.profgmedia.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US military's AI provider Anthropic is feuding with the Pentagon after the company tried to impose 'red lines' over the use of its artificial intelligence products for lethal autonomous weapons and mass surveillance of Americans.   President Trump accused the US firm of being 'radical left' and designated it a 'supply chain risk' – usually reserved for Chinese or Russian firms who could compromise US security.   Our panel discusses the dispute, the battle to control artificial intelligence systems already being used in Iran, Venezuela and Ukraine, and how a public battle between tech and government throws a much-needed spotlight on the wider global issues of AI governance and who is – or isn't – writing rules for the new era of warfare.   They also look at how China is pushing ahead quickly with its plan to integrate 'AI Plus' into all aspects of its economy and military.   This week's guest host of the Independent Thinking podcast is Alex Krasodomski, director of Chatham House's Digital Society Programme. He is joined by Laurel Rapp, director of the US and North America Programme; and James Kynge, a senior research fellow with the Asia-Pacific Programme who has spent years studying China and its high-technology industrial sector. Produced by Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Subscribe to Independent Thinking wherever you find your podcasts. Chatham House's latest: Comment | Anthropic's feud with the Pentagon reveals the limits of AI governance The World Today magazine article | Can the West recover from China's hi-tech knockout blow? Comment | Do AI summits work?

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down how the Iran war is driving oil prices above $100 a barrel, and what that means for China's energy security. They dive into China's dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, explore the country's cautious 2026 growth targets, and chat with Andy Browne, China Columnist at Semafor, about how all of this is reshaping China-U.S. relations. Check out Andy's newsletter at semafor.com/newsletters/china. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oil markets are rattled, Trump is escalating, and China is speaking out. In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down how China is responding after Trump's strikes on Iran — and what soaring oil prices mean for Beijing's energy security and global strategy. Is this about principle, protecting its oil lifeline, or quietly capitalizing on U.S. distraction? Then they turn to China's next Five-Year Plan and its aggressive push into AI and advanced manufacturing. Is Beijing accelerating economic decoupling for good? And finally, a fatal crash involving a Chinese EV sparks a nationwide safety rethink. Does this dent China's global EV ambitions — or make them stronger? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge unpack the International Monetary Fund's blunt warning that China's export-led growth model is nearing its limits — just as the Supreme Court of the United States rolls back sweeping Trump-era emergency tariffs, reshaping the trade war at a pivotal moment. Then, China's hospitals are going viral. From Beijing to Hainan, foreign patients are seeking faster, cheaper treatment as part of Beijing's “Healthy China 2030” push to turn healthcare into a new growth engine — but could that spark domestic backlash? And finally, Seedance 2.0, the powerful new AI video model from ByteDance, is generating hyper-realistic celebrity deepfakes and rattling Hollywood. Is this the future of filmmaking — or the start of a new AI arms race? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge dig into China's so-called “genius camps” — the small, brutally selective talent pipeline behind many of the country's biggest tech and AI breakthroughs. Then they turn to rising nuclear tensions after the U.S. accuses China of having conducted a secret nuclear test in 2020, just as the last major U.S.-Russia arms control treaty expires. How credible are the claims, and what does this mean for global nuclear negotiations? Plus, China's underground club scene is roaring back after years of pandemic closures, as global music crosses borders in new ways — including Bad Bunny topping the charts in China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge unpack how China is reshaping global power—sometimes loudly, sometimes through pandas, ports, and pop culture. As Donald Trump warns allies like the U.K. and Canada that getting closer to Beijing is “dangerous,” reality tells a messier story: British pharma giant AstraZeneca is cutting billion-dollar deals in China, Japan is losing its last pandas amid rising tensions, and Washington is scrambling to blunt China's grip on critical minerals. They also dive into a Panamanian court ruling that just blew up a Hong Kong firm's control over key canal ports—an apparent U.S. win that could quickly become a new U.S.–China flashpoint over one of the world's most important trade chokepoints. And finally, they decode the viral idea that everyone is living a “very Chinese time,” from wellness trends to memes, and what it says about growing American disillusionment—and China's evolving soft power. Why does all this matter? Because these fights aren't abstract: they affect supply chains, prices, travel, jobs, and how the next generation sees America's place in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down a seismic week in Beijing. China has effectively blown up the top of its military command, sidelining Xi Jinping's most trusted lieutenant and raising questions about loyalty, readiness, and how secure Xi really is at the apex of power. They explain what this unprecedented purge inside the PLA means—not just for China's military, but for regional stability and markets. They also unpack the post-China future of TikTok. After years of bans, lawsuits, and security concerns, a last-minute deal keeps the app alive in the U.S.—but does it truly sever Beijing's influence, or just repackage it? With 180 million American users and a generation getting its news from TikTok, we explain why this deal matters far beyond social media. And finally, Alice sits down with economist Houze Song to cut through the spin on China's economy—from headline growth numbers and export dependence to the long shadow of the property collapse and what Beijing may (or may not) do next.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down Beijing's drive to pull U.S. allies closer—from Canada's EV tariff to Europe's growing economic hedge. They unpack China's lopsided economy, as exports boom while consumers pull back and the property slump deepens. Plus, a viral app meant to check if users are still alive sparks a deeper look at China's growing loneliness epidemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the wake of Trump's invasion of Venezuela, how will China respond to the ongoing protests in Iran? In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge take on the geopolitical firestorm brewing in Beijing, as it finds its energy imports, financial partnerships, and global influence all imperiled. Alice and James are joined by Michal Meidan, head of China Energy Research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, to assess how big an impact these events will have on China's future.  Plus — with adult obesity on the rise in China, so-called “fat prisons” are springing up to help people (and pets) lose weight. That's in addition to GLP-1 drugs, which are getting cheaper and more available as Chinese manufacturers begin to produce them themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down Beijing's response to Trump's sudden takeover of Venezuela — a move that hits China's energy interests, loans, and influence in Latin America, and raises the stakes far beyond oil. Then they turn to the EV race, where BYD has overtaken Tesla for the first time, signaling a potential power shift in the global auto industry. And finally, they look at China's quieter — but surprising — rise as a luxury food superpower, from caviar to truffles, and what it says about trade, consumption, and state-backed strategy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down a quieter but consequential shift in Washington's China strategy. They unpack Trump's new national security playbook, why Beijing is suddenly sounding upbeat, and whether this signals a real reset or just a tactical pause in U.S.-China tensions. They also dig into China's baby bust — and the backlash to a new tax on condoms — as policymakers search for answers to falling birth rates. Plus, Alice sits down with Chip War author Chris Miller to discuss Trump's surprise reversal on AI chip exports to China, what it means for NVIDIA, and why semiconductors are now at the center of global power politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge unpack China's high-stakes push for tech independence, from Moore Threads' explosive IPO to Beijing's drive to build a homegrown alternative to Nvidia. They also explore why the renminbi (CNY) remains deeply undervalued despite calls for a stronger yuan. Later, they sit down with Patrick McGee, author of Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company, to discuss Apple's deep reliance on China and the broader political and commercial leverage Beijing now wields over Western companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge break down China's accelerating push for self-sufficiency — from tech to industrial goods — and what that means for a global trading system that once relied on Chinese demands. They unpack a tense week in Asia, with Washington, Beijing, and Tokyo navigating security warnings, diplomatic pressure, and Taiwan's massive new $40 billion defense buildup. And they look at Beijing's latest experiment to revive spending: using school holidays to turbocharge travel and jump-start the services sector. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves published her – widely leaked – budget this week. How does it leave her ruling Labour Party positioned in Britain? And what do the calculations look like from overseas, where other countries have adopted different solutions to the problems facing them? For this discussion on Chatham House's international affairs podcast, host Bronwen Maddox is joined by Olivia O'Sullivan, Director of the UK in the World Programme. And, giving an international perspective on UK finances, are Sébastien Maillard, an Associate Fellow in the Europe Programme and James Kynge, a Senior Research Fellow for China and the World in the Asia-Pacific Programme. Read our latest: Trump's 28 point 'peace plan' marks Europe's last chance to stand up for Ukraine China's 'smart authoritarianism' has upended ideas about autocracies' limitations. The West must cooperate to respond Why an African Credit Rating Agency isn't a good idea for the region's borrowers Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today  Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast 

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge dig into China's economic slowdown—what's driving the decline in investment, why the AI boom isn't delivering a broader lift, and how the downturn could ripple across global markets and Beijing's foreign ambitions. Then, as COP30 wraps up in Brazil, they break down whether China is emerging as a climate leader or doubling down as the world's biggest emitter. And finally, a rare look inside China's vast gig economy: the former Beijing deliveryman whose bestselling memoir pulled back the curtain on the lives of 200 million workers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge break down how China is quietly building the “Android of AI” while the U.S. is pouring billions into the ultra-premium iPhone equivalent. As American firms chase ever-bigger, pricier models, Chinese competitors are going lean, open-source, and dirt-cheap — and U.S. startups are already switching to them. They unpack why Chinese models are suddenly dominating Hugging Face, how an AI price war could spark a market correction, and whether U.S. export controls are backfiring. Plus, a diplomatic firestorm between China and Japan is raising tough questions about the future balance of power in East Asia. With Tokyo taking an unusually hard line on Taiwan — and Beijing responding with fury — Alice and James examine what's driving the escalation, what it means for U.S. strategy, and how historical grievances still shape the region's security map. Finally, China's coffee wars are heating up — and Starbucks is blinking. After losing ground to aggressive local rivals like Luckin and Cotti, Starbucks is selling off majority control of its China business. They explore why Western brands keep struggling in China's hyper-competitive consumer market — and whether Starbucks can claw back relevance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

China is breaking the rules of development. Typically, as countries progress up the value chain, they transition from agriculture to light industry, then to heavy industry, and ultimately to high-technology and services. And as they move up the value chain, this creates opportunities for less-developed countries to advance. But China's not doing that. Chinese manufacturers are holding on to their immense productive capacity, enabling them to produce both low-tech sneakers and high-tech semiconductors at a scale and cost that are unrivaled. Now, as developing countries around the world seek to move up the value chain, they will have to compete head-on against the dreaded "China Price." James Kynge, who covered China for nearly 30 years at the Financial Times, delved into this challenge in a fascinating audiobook that came out earlier this year, "Global Tech Wars: China's Race to Dominate." James joins Eric from London to explain how China's ability to produce a $6 toaster exemplifies the country's enormous manufacturing advantage that will be very difficult, if not impossible, for other countries to match. CHAPTERS: • Introduction – The $6 toaster and the global value chain crisis • The Flying Geese Model – How automation broke development's old path • China's Dual Reality – A continent-sized economy of billionaires and low-wage labor • Industrial Clusters – The unbeatable advantage of Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta • The Global South's Dilemma – Competing against the "China price" • Automation and Inequality – Why manufacturing isn't moving offshore • The $1 Trillion Surplus – Trade backlash and global tensions • Searching for Solutions – Industrial policy and self-strengthening in the Global South • Winners and Losers – Cheap exports, consumer gains, and producer pain • Political Risk – Xi Jinping's lesson from Western deindustrialization • The Humanoid Robot Moment – From $6 toasters to $6,000 robots • China's Auto Revolution – BYD and the new wave of affordable EVs • The Double-Edged Future – Opportunity and disruption in China's rise SHOW NOTES: Financial Times: Global Tech Wars: China's Race to Dominate by James Kynge Financial Times: China's plan to reshape world trade on its own terms by James Kynge and Keith Fray JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH & SPANISH:  French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

China is breaking the rules of development. Typically, as countries progress up the value chain, they transition from agriculture to light industry, then to heavy industry, and ultimately to high-technology and services. And as they move up the value chain, this creates opportunities for less-developed countries to advance. But China's not doing that. Chinese manufacturers are holding on to their immense productive capacity, enabling them to produce both low-tech sneakers and high-tech semiconductors at a scale and cost that are unrivaled. Now, as developing countries around the world seek to move up the value chain, they will have to compete head-on against the dreaded "China Price." James Kynge, who covered China for nearly 30 years at the Financial Times, delved into this challenge in a fascinating audiobook that came out earlier this year, "Global Tech Wars: China's Race to Dominate." James joins Eric from London to explain how China's ability to produce a $6 toaster exemplifies the country's enormous manufacturing advantage that will be very difficult, if not impossible, for other countries to match. CHAPTERS: • Introduction – The $6 toaster and the global value chain crisis • The Flying Geese Model – How automation broke development's old path • China's Dual Reality – A continent-sized economy of billionaires and low-wage labor • Industrial Clusters – The unbeatable advantage of Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta • The Global South's Dilemma – Competing against the "China price" • Automation and Inequality – Why manufacturing isn't moving offshore • The $1 Trillion Surplus – Trade backlash and global tensions • Searching for Solutions – Industrial policy and self-strengthening in the Global South • Winners and Losers – Cheap exports, consumer gains, and producer pain • Political Risk – Xi Jinping's lesson from Western deindustrialization • The Humanoid Robot Moment – From $6 toasters to $6,000 robots • China's Auto Revolution – BYD and the new wave of affordable EVs • The Double-Edged Future – Opportunity and disruption in China's rise SHOW NOTES: Financial Times: Global Tech Wars: China's Race to Dominate by James Kynge Financial Times: China's plan to reshape world trade on its own terms by James Kynge and Keith Fray JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH & SPANISH:  French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge unpack how the U.S. and China are building the backbone of the AI era — massive data centers that are reshaping global energy use and government policy. They look at who's paying for the AI boom, why electricity might decide the winner, and how China's homegrown models are quietly catching up to Silicon Valley. Then, China's newest aircraft carrier, and why it's raising questions about Beijing's military ambitions and the U.S. strategy in the Pacific. And finally — flying taxis might actually be here. Alice and James take to the skies with EHang's new pilotless air taxi and what it says about China's appetite for futuristic tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge unpack how the global auto industry is facing a new chip crisis. Dutch chipmaker Nexperia has halted shipments to China after a payment and ownership dispute, forcing carmakers like Honda and Volkswagen to scramble for crucial semiconductor parts. They explain how a fight over factory control became the latest flashpoint in the U.S.–China tech rivalry — and why Europe is caught in the middle. Then, they turn to China's most pressure-packed test: the Gaokao. With more than 10 million students vying for spots at top universities, the exam has long promised meritocracy but increasingly reflects inequality. Alice and James explore how this high-stakes system shapes opportunity, status, and ambition in modern China — and why reform remains so elusive. Finally, Trump and Xi agree to a one-year trade truce, pledging to ease tariffs, restart soybean purchases, and cool tensions over rare earths and fentanyl. But can either side really trust the other to follow through? The hosts break down what's at stake — and whether this pause is a real breakthrough or just a political timeout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge dive into Trump's trip across Asia — and what it means as Xi Jinping tightens his grip at home. Are the U.S. and China inching toward a truce, or gearing up for another long standoff? Then, they decode China's crypto paradox — a country that bans trading on the mainland but cheers on Hong Kong's Web3 boom. And finally, Italy takes aim at Shein and Temu with new levies, but can it really rein in China's fast-fashion giants without alienating its own shoppers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

China's ruling Communist Party leadership met in Beijing to frame the next five-year-plan. Amid a trade war with the United States, they set priorities for economic policy and technology, including how to build artificial intelligence into key sectors of society.   New faces appeared and old ones vanished, with a purge of senior military officials and others as President Xi Jinping sacked some officials he had earlier promoted. As Xi prepares to meet with US President Donald Trump in South Korea, Chatham House senior research fellows Yu Jie and James Kynge join host Bronwen Maddox. Read our latest: The UK must prioritize cybersecurity or be left dangerously exposed Sanae Takaichi sees herself as the successor to Shinzo Abe. But changes in Japan's politics present big challenges Tanzania election: Erosion of democracy will also come at the cost of economic potential Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by Stephen Farrell. Read the Autumn issue of The World Today  Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down Beijing's new export restrictions on rare earth minerals and what they mean for global supply chains, a British spy scandal rattling UK–China relations, and the growing space race that could determine who gets back to the moon first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge talk through Trump's recent escalation in his war of words with Xi, in response to China's move to ban the export of crucial rare earth minerals. Plus — why N.B.A. basketball is back in China after a six-year absence, and a breakthrough medical procedure that could change organ transplants forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge break down Xi Jinping's next five-year plan and the politics behind it, explore the US-China soybean trade war and its impact on American farmers, and dive into the rise of a viral “Chinese Trump” comedian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Scott Galloway joins Alice Han and James Kynge to  break down how China's new buzzword “involution” is shaking its economy. Then , Alice and James discuss why Beijing is courting global talent as Trump tightens U.S. visas and what it means that hip hop stars from Kanye to Travis Scott are now being welcomed onto China's biggest stages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, Alice Han and James Kynge discuss China's decision to block Nvidia's newest AI chips—what's behind the move, and what it could mean for the global AI race. They also break down the long-running TikTok saga, now moving toward a new U.S. ownership structure—who will really control the app and its algorithm? Finally, they explore a social media trend capturing Chinese Gen Z's nostalgia for the “boom years,” revealing what today's young people are longing for and why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge explore whether China's stock market rally marks the start of a true bull market—or just another round of state-driven froth. They then turn to Ethiopia's $5 billion Grand Renaissance Dam, built with Chinese expertise and financing, and ask what it reveals about Beijing's expanding influence in the Global South—and how tensions with Egypt could put that influence to the test. Finally, they look at the global rise of Labubu, the sharp-toothed plush toy embraced by celebrities from Rihanna to Naomi Osaka, and what this craze says about China's growing role as a cultural exporter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are we moving into a post-American world and if so will China try to lead and set the rules for it? In the face of American withdrawal, China senses an opportunity to shape a new world order. This week on Independent Thinking, Samir Puri and James Kynge join Bronwen Maddox to discuss the changing nature of the international order. Read our latest: Event | Interview and discussion with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel Comment | It may take a generation for a stable new world order to emerge Comment | Syria's parliamentary elections: A turning point or another top-down exercise? Comment | Why ending the war in Sudan should be a higher priority for the West Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Read the Summer issue of The World Today  Listen to The Climate Briefing podcast

In this special episode of the podcast, Calvin Quek interviews the BEN podcast's longtime host, Anders Hove. Topics covered include how Anders came to China, his formative experiences working in China at the China Greentech Initiative, and how he got involved in the podcast. He even gives us his all time favorite episode (see link below). Calvin also discusses with Anders the topic of innovation in China's clean energy space, covered in a major paper Anders published last year at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES). This is a wide-ranging discussion, so here are a few links to help you follow along, based on things that were mentioned in the podcast: Anders Hove, 'Clean energy innovation in China: fact and fiction, and implications for the future', Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, 2024. https://www.oxfordenergy.org/publications/clean-energy-innovation-in-china-fact-and-fiction-and-implications-for-the-future/ 'Global Energy Interconnection: The Dawn of a Global Power Grid?' Environment China podcast, 22 December 2019. https://environmentchinapod.libsyn.com/global-energy-interconnection-the-dawn-of-the-global-power-grid The Chinese Money Behind Oatly https://thechinaproject.com/2021/08/13/the-chinese-money-behind-oatly/ China's Race to Tech Supremacy: A Conversation with James Kynge https://www.ft.com/content/535b3bd4-349d-45d2-8673-eeceefe3bb51

In this special episode of the podcast, Calvin Quek interviews the BEN podcast's longtime host, Anders Hove. Topics covered include how Anders came to China, his formative experiences working in China at the China Greentech Initiative, and how he got involved in the podcast. He even gives us his all time favorite episode (see link below).  Calvin also discusses with Anders the topic of innovation in China's clean energy space, covered in a major paper Anders published last year at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES). This is a wide-ranging discussion, so here are a few links to help you follow along, based on things that were mentioned in the podcast: Anders Hove, 'Clean energy innovation in China: fact and fiction, and implications for the future', Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, 2024. https://www.oxfordenergy.org/publications/clean-energy-innovation-in-china-fact-and-fiction-and-implications-for-the-future/ 'Global Energy Interconnection: The Dawn of a Global Power Grid?' Environment China podcast, 22 December 2019. https://environmentchinapod.libsyn.com/global-energy-interconnection-the-dawn-of-the-global-power-grid The Chinese Money Behind Oatly https://thechinaproject.com/2021/08/13/the-chinese-money-behind-oatly/ China's Race to Tech Supremacy: A Conversation with James Kynge https://www.ft.com/content/535b3bd4-349d-45d2-8673-eeceefe3bb51    

In the pilot of China Watch, Alice Han and James Kynge break down how Beijing is positioning itself after the Trump–Putin summit — and why China might quietly prefer a long war in Ukraine. Then, they unpack Trump's embrace of state-style capitalism and what it means for U.S. allies and rivals alike. Finally, they take you inside Beijing's first-ever humanoid robot games — a spectacle that's part comedy, part preview of China's AI ambitions.  We'd love your feedback. Send us your thoughts to hey@profgmedia.com and let us know if this is something you'd like to hear more of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here’s a preview of a new audiobook, Global Tech Wars: China’s Race to Dominate. For decades, China’s economic rise has been symbolized by its unstoppable force of low-cost manufacturing. Now, it’s the leading country in cutting-edge industries like artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, surveillance technology, and more. In Global Tech Wars, Financial Times’ veteran journalist James Kynge analyzes China’s rapid technological ascent and what it means for the future. If you like what you hear, find the full audiobook at pushkin.fm/audiobooks, Audible, Spotify, or wherever you get your audiobooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, long-time Financial Times journalist and former MERICS Senior Fellow James Kynge joins Johannes Heller-John to look at China's technological development in the last decades and ahead into the next ones. He talks about his work as a journalist in China since the mid-1980s and China's rise as a technological power. James argues that “China is now leading the world as a technological power, having surpassed the US and left Europe far behind.”More about the topics covered in this episode here:Streets ahead: China is winning the technology war with the US (The Observer)Global Tech Wars: China's Race to Dominate (Pushkin)

Here’s a preview of a new audiobook, Global Tech Wars: China’s Race to Dominate. For decades, China’s economic rise has been symbolized by its unstoppable force of low-cost manufacturing. Now, it’s the leading country in cutting-edge industries like artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, surveillance technology, and more. In Global Tech Wars, Financial Times’ veteran journalist James Kynge analyzes China’s rapid technological ascent and what it means for the future. If you like what you hear, find the full audiobook at Pushkin, Audible, Spotify, or wherever you get your audiobooks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next superpower will be a tech superpower, and to be that superpower you need to have some control over the semiconductor industry which is driving the AI revolution. But almost all advanced semiconductors are made in Taiwan — and it is under constant threat of a Chinese invasion. President Joe Biden's Chips Act promises lavish subsidies to companies working to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to US soil. Will those subsidies survive once Donald Trump, the president-elect, is in the White House? In a new season of Tech Tonic the FT's James Kynge, is in Phoenix, Arizona, the former heartland of American chip manufacturing. He speaks to those trying to revive the US chipmaking industry.Presented by James Kynge. Edwin Lane is the senior producer. The producer is Josh Gabert-Doyon. Executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco, with original music from Metaphor Music. The FT's head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Tim Bradshaw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.