Today’s guest is Eric Olander, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of the China-Global South Project. Eric and his team cover China’s presence across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America, a vast expanse of countries that provides a refreshing alternative to the dominant (though important, of course)‘China vs. the West’ narrative.

Eric also hosts The China-Global South Podcast, which is required listening for anyone interested in global geopolitics.

We discussed General Secretary Tô Lâm’s visit to China; the deeply nuanced ties between Vietnam and China more broadly; how Vietnam’s ‘bamboo diplomacy’ serves as a model for other middle powers; the background of the China Global South Project and its start in Africa; frustrating media narratives regarding contemporary China, the phrase ‘global south’ itself;’ China’s approaches to Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America; the benefits of covering China from Southeast Asia; and more.

Check out the China Global South Project: https://chinaglobalsouth.com/

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