China In Context
173 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsChina In Context is a weekly podcast providing expert analysis on politics, culture and international relations, featuring voices from the SOAS China Institute, University of London. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
The looming trade war between China and the EU
July 09, 2024 12:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBManufacturers 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
July 02, 2024 10:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBThe 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.
Why are Russia and China squabbling over North Korea?
June 26, 2024 15:00 - 14 minutes - 9.71 MBNorth 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.
Xi Jinping's attitude towards the Global South
June 18, 2024 11:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBChina 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.
The risk of war over Taiwan
June 11, 2024 13:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBTension 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...
The political significance of Tibet
June 04, 2024 12:00 - 13 minutes - 9.43 MBTibet, 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 approach to the Middle East
May 28, 2024 13:00 - 13 minutes - 9.17 MBChina'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's grip on the internet in Southeast Asia
May 21, 2024 12:00 - 14 minutes - 9.86 MBChina 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.
Xi Jinping's fraught relationship with Europe
May 14, 2024 15:00 - 14 minutes - 9.84 MBThe 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.
What does Xi Jinping think about technology?
May 07, 2024 14:00 - 14 minutes - 9.67 MBXi 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.
China criticises Japan’s alleged "wrong actions"
April 30, 2024 12:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBJapan 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.
Can China still shock the global economy?
April 23, 2024 13:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBChina'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 T...
How China sees Gaza
April 16, 2024 15:00 - 13 minutes - 9.52 MBChina 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.
Why does China spy on its citizens?
April 09, 2024 15:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBThe 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 of Dictatorshi...
China’s alarm at the Red Sea crisis
April 02, 2024 14:00 - 14 minutes - 9.99 MBThe 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 o...
What does Taiwan want from America?
March 26, 2024 15:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBChina 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...
Australia toasts Xi Jinping
March 19, 2024 12:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBThe 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 Institut...
Hong Kong rushes through new security legislation
March 12, 2024 16:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBThe 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 ...
Trouble on the stock market
March 05, 2024 16:00 - 13 minutes - 9.12 MBThe 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, Dunca...
Advising American CEOs on China risks
February 27, 2024 16:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBJust 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 riv...
Hong Kong artists fight for liberty
February 20, 2024 15:00 - 14 minutes - 9.67 MBProtest 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 Mix...
Xi Jinping Thought
February 13, 2024 14:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBChinese 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 Thou...
The Rise of Xi Jinping and China’s Superpower Future
February 06, 2024 14:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBBelievers 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...
How will Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni handle relations with China?
January 30, 2024 10:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBGiorgia 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 politi...
What dangers lurk in the year of the dragon?
January 23, 2024 16:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBChina'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...
How will Taiwan’s new president handle China?
January 17, 2024 12:00 - 13 minutes - 9.5 MBChina 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 ...
2024: A crucial year for US-China relations
January 09, 2024 12:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBXi 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 pops open the champagne for US executives
December 12, 2023 14:00 - 14 minutes - 9.97 MBChina 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.
Does China need new pillars to support its economy?
December 05, 2023 11:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBIn 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 audacity of Chinese spies
November 28, 2023 15:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBThe 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.
Xi Jinping's California encounter with Joe Biden
November 21, 2023 15:00 - 14 minutes - 9.77 MBThe overall assessment of the historic summit between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden seems to have been positive. There was a softness in Biden’s tone, and Xi seemed happy during and after their long meeting. However, there were sticking points. Joe Biden described the Chinese leader as a dictator during a press conference. And according to the US side, Xi Jinping is still posing a threat to Taiwan. In this podcast, Professor Christopher Tang at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, offers his a...
Trouble for the yuan
November 14, 2023 15:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBChina’s currency, the yuan, has seen its value against the US dollar depreciate sharply this year. That may reflect foreign disillusionment with China’s economic prospects and policy making. Many investors are also unnerved by a regulatory crackdown on technology companies, with the Communist Party insisting on more centralised control. In this podcast, George Magnus, a research associate at the SOAS China Institute and Oxford University's China Centre, discusses China’s economic challenges...
How China sees the Middle East
November 07, 2023 12:00 - 14 minutes - 9.94 MBChina says it will do its utmost to restore peace to the Middle East and has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza strip. Its proposal has been rejected by Israel as the ground assault on Gaza continues. Meanwhile in China itself, feelings on the Middle East conflict are gathering intensity, with social media revealing an anti-semitic streak among some influencers. In this podcast, the journalist and author Howard Zhang explains China’s approach to the Middle East in co...
Who still has faith in the Belt and Road Initiative?
October 31, 2023 15:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBFor ten years, China has been pushing other countries to partner with it through the Belt and Road initiative (BRI). While some nations such as Russia are fans of the project, it has largely been snubbed by the West. In this podcast, Fraser Howie, a respected independent analyst on China, considers whether the BRI is becoming an obsolete concept. The host is Duncan Bartlett from the SOAS China Institute.
What is at stake if the US decouples from China?
October 24, 2023 14:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBIn a bid to strengthen ties with Western nations, Xi Jinping has issued a stern warning against "decoupling" from China's economy. He urged leaders to view China's development as an asset, not a threat. Nevertheless, official data reveals a sharp decline in Chinese imports to the United States. In this podcast, Thomas Gatley, China Strategist at Gavekal Dragonomics, reflects on the situation in conversation with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.
The release from prison of journalist Cheng Lei
October 17, 2023 13:00 - 13 minutes - 9.06 MBSupplying state secrets to another country is a crime which carries a heavy penalty in China. TV reporter Cheng Lei spent several years in prison for espionage, although her family and supporters insist she was innocent. Now she’s been released and is back home in Australia. In this podcast James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney, explains why this case is significant to regular host, Duncan Bartlett.
Remembering the dark periods of China’s history
October 11, 2023 13:00 - 15 minutes - 10.5 MBChina’s Communist Party has a particular way in which it wants its story to be told. However, some people challenge its interpretation of history. They’re keen that dark periods of China’s recent past - such as the Cultural Revolution - are not erased from memory. Some counter-historians are prepared to take great risks in the face of state-censorship. In this podcast, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Johnson shares what he has learned from China’s underground story-tellers in conversat...
On the Asian frontline with the US Air Force
October 03, 2023 10:00 - 12 minutes - 8.75 MBPowerful military forces are amassed in East Asia and in war games, America and China role play deadly encounters. China says America is stoking the fire of regional tensions, while the US insists it is the duty of its armed forces to keep the peace through deterrence. In this podcast, Dr Zuri Linetsky, a research fellow at the Eurasia Group Foundation, explains what he learned about the balance of power during training exercises with the US Air Force. The host is Duncan Bartlett, editor of ...
China’s Global Security Initiative
September 26, 2023 11:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBChina is pushing hard to play a greater role in international affairs, often at the expense of the United States. It sees itself as a peace-broker and an initiator of dialogue between quarreling nations. But what is the ideology which guides grand plans such as Xi Jinping’s Global Security Initiative? Regular host Duncan Bartlett is joined by Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute.
China exports deflation to the world
September 19, 2023 14:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBChina is coming to terms with a worrying symbol of economic decline: deflation. Falling prices are linked to a slump in the property market and a decline in exports, hitting many businesses hard. In this podcast, Duncan Wrigley, Chief China Plus Economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics explains why this represents a problem for the global economy. The host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett.
What makes a great spy?
September 13, 2023 13:00 - 13 minutes - 9.41 MBChina’s spies are active in many countries and are sometimes intercepted and exposed. Meanwhile, Western countries, especially America, have developed sophisticated systems to monitor China through massive intelligence gathering. In this podcast, Jonathan Berkshire Miller from the Macdonald Laurier Institute explains how to measure the success of a spy in a conversation with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.
Does China have sinister plans for the "Internet of Things"?
September 05, 2023 13:00 - 14 minutes - 9.92 MBThe Internet of Things has revolutionised how we interact with technology, seamlessly connecting people, devices, and data. China is making an enormous financial investment in this field of technology - aiming for unprecedented global reach. In this podcast, Charles Parton, an Associate Fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, explains to host Duncan Bartlett why he is concerned about the security implications.
Britain’s dilemma over China
August 29, 2023 14:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBThe UK government has taken a relatively hawkish approach to China, with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, declaring that Beijing poses the “biggest challenge of our age to global security and prosperity”. Nevertheless, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly travelled to Beijing with the goal to stabilise relations. In this podcast Duncan Bartlett discusses Britain’s dilemma over China with guest presenter, Paul Hodges, Chairman of New Normal Consulting.
South Korea makes a pivotal shift on China
August 22, 2023 13:00 - 14 minutes - 9.79 MBThroughout the course of history, China has exerted enormous influence over Korea. Korean kings were obliged to pay homage to Chinese emperors yet in the modern era, the relationship is in flux. The pro-US policies of President Yoon Suk-Yeol are causing some people in China to accuse the South Koreans of disloyalty. In this podcast, host Duncan Bartlett is joined from Seoul by Rory Green, Chief China Economist and Head of Asia Research at Global Data TS Lombard.
Why does China reject U.S. calls for military dialogue?
August 15, 2023 11:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBThe Pentagon says that China has repeatedly turned down its requests to hold high level talks between army commanders. Experts worry that the lack of dialogue heightens the risk of a miscalculation leading to conflict. In this podcast, Howard Zhang, China Editor at the BBC, appraises the situation in a conversation with regular host, Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.
How does China view developments in Russia?
August 08, 2023 14:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBRussia and China claim to have a “no limits” partnership. Nevertheless, the invasion of Ukraine has created a rift. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that China would uphold an “independent and impartial position” on Ukraine and will seek a political settlement. In this podcast, Dr Moritz Rudolf, from the Yale University Law School's Paul Tsai China Centre discusses Sino-Russian relations with regular host, Duncan Bartlett.
China leads the world in renewable energy
August 01, 2023 11:00 - 14 minutes - 9.64 MBChina is on course to reach its targets for wind and solar power five years ahead of time, helping shore up its position as the world leader in renewable energy. However, the Chinese government is also building many new coal-fired power stations and fossil fuels are expected to make up a significant proportion of the country’s energy mix for decades to come. In this podcast, host Duncan Bartlett discusses China’s power paradox with Dorothy Mei and Martin Weil from Global Energy Monitor.
Why did Joe Biden call Xi Jinping a dictator?
July 28, 2023 14:00 - 14 minutes - 9.84 MBJoe Biden has used tough language about Xi Jinping, saying he “does not have a democratic bone in his body” and describing him as a dictator. The Chinese complain they are being provoked. In this podcast, Bill Bishop, author of the Sinocism newsletter, shares his views on President Biden’s choice of language. He speaks with the podcast’s regular host, Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs.
China and NATO
July 25, 2023 11:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBThe transatlantic alliance, known as NATO, is looking to the East. The leaders of Japan and South Korea joined its 2023 summit in Lithuania as observers and the meeting ended with a joint statement from NATO members which included many scathing remarks about China. In this podcast, renowned author and Sinologist Jonathan Fenby offers his analysis of the way NATO and China perceive each other. The host is Duncan Bartlett who, like Jonathan, is a Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute.
Has Xi Jinping’s leadership left China on shaky ground?
July 11, 2023 14:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBUnder the leadership of Xi Jinping, China has been asserting itself as a confident and strong country. But how firm are the foundations of Xi’s power and what are the risks associated with a system in which one person has so much influence and authority? In this podcast, Bernhard Bartsch from the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) discusses Xi Jinping with regular host, Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs.