China In Context
Taiwan's Controversial Budget Cuts — The KMT goes DOGE?
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 ...
Planning China's Future — Boosting Consumption, Enterprise and Defence
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 grow...
Writing Shanghai, Writing China — A Tribute to Lynn Pan
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. D...
China's Economic Challenges — Consumption Slump and Soaring Local Government Debt
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 ...
China and Africa — An Intimate Portrait
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 C...
Trump and China — Deal or No Deal?
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 C...
China and the Climate Crisis — Good COP, Bad COP?
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 i...
The impact of Donald Trump’s re-election on US relations with China and East Asia
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 Grea...
Has China’s process of reform gone into reverse?
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, present...
The mounting risk of another global war
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. _____________________...
Escalating tension between China and the Philippines
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 Bar...
How America's Democratic Party views China
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 politics of pandas
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 Prof...
Deterring a war over Taiwan
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 views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those...
Is Apple bowing to China’s censorship laws?
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 r...
How China and NATO see each other
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 inte...
Has Hong Kong lost all freedom and autonomy?
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. ________________________...
Why the partnership between Russia and China worries Europe
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...
The looming trade war between China and the EU
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. ______________________________________...
Women, Communism and social change
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. ___________...
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