Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast China In Context
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Involution and Lying Flat — The challenges for China’s young generation | 14 Nov 2025 | 00:17:03 | |
While young people around the world face growing difficulties finding work and coping with the cost-of-living crisis, the situation confronting China’s youth seems particularly acute. Years of pandemic disruption, economic slowdown and mounting social pressure have created a sense of fatigue and frustration for many. This has given rise to a new language of despair and dark humour. ‘Nei Juan’ (内卷) — or ‘involution’ — describes the exhausting, endless competition where everyone works harder yet gains less, a race to the bottom with no finish line. In contrast, ‘Tang Ping’ (躺平), or ‘lying flat’, signals quiet resistance: choosing to step back, do less, and let go of society’s impossible expectations. But is this realistic in a country with a limited social welfare safety net? Guest host Howard Zhang speaks with Dr Yuan Zhong from SOAS about her recent research in China, exploring what these buzzwords reveal about a generation under strain — and the country’s future. Photo credit: leoon liang / Unsplash For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Trade War Truce — and a Five Year Plan | 03 Nov 2025 | 00:30:42 | |
China and the US reached a truce in their trade war at the recent meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea. And the two leaders even pledged to visit each other’s countries next year. But US tariffs on Chinese imports remain at around 47% — and a dispute over the export of US semiconductor chips to China looks set to continue. These tensions seem to have informed the Communist Party’s newly released proposals for China’s next Five Year Plan, which focus on innovation and making China technologically self-sufficient. But will this approach, along with promises to boost the private economy, help to tackle unemployment and sluggish domestic consumer spending? Minxin Pei, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in California, and editor of the website China Leadership Monitor, discusses the prospects for Sino-US relations and the challenges facing China’s leaders. Photo credit: Daniel Torok / White House For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Rebooting China's Economy — Lessons from the 2008 Crisis | 08 May 2025 | 00:39:11 | |
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. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Will China get old before it gets rich? | 07 Feb 2023 | 00:15:14 | |
In 2022, China's population fell by an estimated 850,000 people, triggering dramatic reporting in the media. A headline in The New York Times said it heralded a demographic crisis. Reuters talked of "alarm", while a writer on the South China Morning Post insisted that the demographic shift marked "a watershed moment in Chinese history". In this podcast, Paul Hodges, Founder of New Normal Consulting shares his considered view of the demographic challenges faced by China. He is interviewed by Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| The significance of the white paper protests | 01 Feb 2023 | 00:15:03 | |
The international media asked an important question in November 2022: Is China experiencing the start of a revolution? The debate was sparked by the actions of protesters in many Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, holding up blank sheets of paper. Xi Jinping dismissed the so-called "white paper protests" as merely a sign of frustration by students and young people. But soon after they took place, there was a significant change in China's policy towards Covid-19. In this podcast, Professor Yuen Yuen Ang from Johns Hopkins University discusses the significance of the rallies with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Japan's relationship with China | 24 Jan 2023 | 00:15:12 | |
In the view of Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, East Asia could be the next Ukraine. He has warned that "the situation around Japan is becoming increasingly severe with attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force." Mr Kishida has two countries in mind: North Korea and Japan’s long-term regional rival, China. The fear is that a war could break out, drawing Japan into the crisis. In this episode, Bill Emmott, Chair of the Japan Society of the UK discusses Japan’s dilemmas with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine and a former Tokyo correspondent for the BBC. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| The threat posed by Covid over the Lunar New Year, 2023 | 17 Jan 2023 | 00:14:49 | |
There is a mood of anxiety as China celebrates the Lunar New Year. With families and friends gathering for a season of feasting, there is a worry that there could be a surge in Covid-19 infections, costing many lives. In late 2022, the Chinese government ended its so-called “Zero-Covid” policy and lifted travel restrictions. In this podcast, Mark Williams, Chief Asia Economist at Capital Economics discusses the outlook for the Spring Festival with host, Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| What are the economic implications of a Chinese attack on Taiwan? | 10 Jan 2023 | 00:12:29 | |
There would be catastrophic consequences if China invades Taiwan and tries to reunify the island with the mainland by force. Taiwan has said it will fight back with advanced weapons supplied by the US. Joe Biden says the American military would become involved. As well as the human cost, the economic consequences would also be severe. In this podcast, renowned Sinologist Charles Parton considers if economic factors will deter a conflict. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Why Taiwan matters to the United States | 13 Dec 2022 | 00:14:58 | |
The U.S. Department of Defense maintains that China is using increasingly aggressive and bullying behaviour on the Taiwan Strait and is planning an invasion. Beijing dismisses this as an exaggeration and berates the US for stirring up anti-Chinese feelings on the island. Meanwhile, other countries in Asia warn of catastrophe in the event of a war. In this podcast, Dr Zuri Linetsky of the Eurasia Group Foundation discusses Taiwan with host Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Britain’s aid relationship with China | 06 Dec 2022 | 00:14:20 | |
Politicians in the UK are careful about how the official aid budget is spent. The money is expected to meet the needs of refugees coming to Britain, as well as helping people in regions affected by war, food shortages and natural disasters. In such circumstances, the government intends to slash aid to China. In this podcast, aid commissioner Sir Hugh Bayley discusses how the decision was reached with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| How Chinese state media portrays America | 29 Nov 2022 | 00:15:09 | |
Chinese state media keeps itself busy finding things to criticise about other countries, with America the number one target. Contentious elections - such as the recent US midterms - gain a lot of attention in the Chinese press and are not portrayed in a favourable light. There’s also plenty of coverage of America’s violent crimes, social problems and corruption scandals. In this podcast, Mark Hannah, a senior fellow at the Eurasia Group Foundation, discusses how Chinese media views the US and the implications for international relations. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| The 20th Party Congress in historical context | 22 Nov 2022 | 00:14:01 | |
At the 20th Party Congress meeting held in Beijing, Xi Jinping reassured the faithful that he will remain at the helm of the vessel, even though he warned that high winds, choppy waters and even dangerous storms lie on the journey ahead. Such rhetoric is designed to evoke memories of brave emperors and mythical adventurers, for although Mr Xi describes himself as a twenty-first century Marxist, he likes to be connected with a legacy which stretches back centuries. In this podcast, Rana Mitter, professor of the History and Politics of Modern China at the University of Oxford, explains the historical background to current political trends. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Priorities for Xi Jinping’s third term | 15 Nov 2022 | 00:13:35 | |
As the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping has capacity to take decisive action on many issues, especially as he has surrounded himself with loyalists on the Standing Committee of the Politburo. He has identified 'security' as one of the top priorities for his third term in power. In this podcast, Howard Zhang, Editor of the BBC's Chinese service, considers what that means for the Chinese economy, the lives of Chinese citizens and China's relations with other countries. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Taiwan's Controversial Budget Cuts — The KMT goes DOGE? | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:31:59 | |
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 For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Xi Jinping’s view of China’s role in the world | 09 Nov 2022 | 00:13:49 | |
The Chinese Communist Party believes that the nation is destined to lead the world, with Xi Jinping at the helm. Yet in Washington, there’s bipartisan consensus that China presents a serious threat to the stability of the global order. Other countries face a dilemma of picking a side between the great powers. In this podcast, renowned Sinologist Charles Parton explains the gap between China’s view of its role in the world and the way it is perceived by other countries. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Media coverage of the 20th Party Congress | 01 Nov 2022 | 00:15:00 | |
Xi Jinping receives more media attention than almost anyone else in the world, although he’s never done a sit-down interview, or taken questions at a regular press conference. The media were able to take a close look at him and other Chinese leaders during the recent Congress meeting of the Communist Party, held in Beijing. Howard Zhang, Editor of the BBC’s Chinese service, analyses how the press covered the event. The host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| The departure of former leader Hu Jintao | 25 Oct 2022 | 00:14:24 | |
There was a dramatic moment at the 20th Party Congress when former leader Hu Jintao was unexpectedly escorted off stage, after what appears to have been a power struggle with his successor, Xi Jinping. In this podcast, Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute explains why Hu Jintao’s departure could mark a decisive break with a collective approach to leadership, as Xi Jinping tightens his grip on power. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| The significance of the 20th Party Congress | 18 Oct 2022 | 00:15:03 | |
When US presidents deliver a State of the Union address, it’s generally big news for a few days, before their words are largely forgotten. However, when a Chinese leader speaks to the Party Congress, his words are remembered for years. Long speeches delivered in the Great Hall of the People are diligently studied by those looking for political information. Dr Holly Snape from the University of Glasgow explains how to interpret the key ideas. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Is China still experiencing a Communist revolution? | 04 Oct 2022 | 00:10:06 | |
China’s leaders have a vision, guided by Karl Marx. They believe they have a duty to create a just, equitable, socialist society, with the eventual goal of a communist system. Until then, China must go through a process of change, a period known as “Socialism with Chinese characteristics''. Frank Tsai from China Crossroads in Shanghai discusses how views about revolution are evolving. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| America’s Taiwan dilemma | 27 Sep 2022 | 00:14:28 | |
The island of Taiwan bristles with high tech weapons, many of which are supplied by the United States. It’s part of a strategy to deter an invasion by the People’s Republic of China - a threat which has loomed over Taiwan for more than 70 years but which is now regarded as a more intense and immediate risk than ever. Jacob Stokes from the Center for New American Security in Washington explains the implications for regional security. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Does China present a threat to Australia? | 20 Sep 2022 | 00:15:06 | |
The former foreign minister of Australia, Alexander Downer, says the relationship with China has “fundamentally changed” in the past few decades. “I think it’s become a great deal more dangerous,” he told Sky News. As a result, Australia has beefed up its military deterrence against China and has moved closer into defence pacts with the United States and the United Kingdom. In this podcast, analysis of the security situation is provided by Dr Charles Edel, Australia Chair and Senior Advisor at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Do countries have to make a choice between the US and China? | 13 Sep 2022 | 00:14:28 | |
The political systems of China and the United States are based on very different models. This ideological gap affects the way they behave towards each other and also impacts their relations with the rest of the world. As a result, many countries feel that they are being pressed to pick sides between America and China and this can be an uncomfortable dilemma. In this podcast, host Duncan Bartlett discusses the changing global order with John Andrews, author of the book The World in Conflict. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| German businesses rethink their China strategy | 06 Sep 2022 | 00:14:27 | |
China and Germany found many reasons to be friendly in the aftermath of the Cold War. China cited the economic advantages to both countries as a win-win situation. Three decades later, relations between the two states have become increasingly tense. Chancellor Olaf Scholz takes a much more hawkish line on China than his predecessor Angela Merkel and Germany has even sent a warship to Asia, to patrol near Taiwan. In this podcast, Yanmei Xie, a geopolitical analyst at Gavekal Dragonomics, offers her analysis of the changing relationship and its implications for business. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| South Korea and China: Resetting the relationship | 31 Aug 2022 | 00:14:56 | |
For decades, South Korea has sought to maintain harmonious relations with both the US and China. But as the competition between the great powers intensifies, the balancing act has become more tricky. In this podcast, Dr Edward Howell, a lecturer in politics at New College, University of Oxford, explains how China-South Korea relations have developed since Yoon Suk-yeol became South Korea’s president in the spring of 2022. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Planning China's Future — Boosting Consumption, Enterprise and Defence | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:45:49 | |
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. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| What gives the Communist Party legitimacy to rule China? | 23 Aug 2022 | 00:14:57 | |
China is a proud nation which plays a key role in many international institutions, including the United Nations. It enjoys diplomatic relations with liberal democracies and when Xi Jinping speaks to Joe Biden, he places himself on a par with the American president as a world leader. Yet when the People’s Republic was initially forged through revolution, the outside world was aghast and it took many years before China’s Communist government was accepted. What has led to this profound change in attitudes towards China? And how does the Communist Party seek to present itself as the legitimate leader of the nation? Dr Mark Clifford, an author and former editor of the South China Morning Post considers the basis of Communist Party leadership. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Is China able to broker peace in Ukraine? | 16 Aug 2022 | 00:13:47 | |
Presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers from many countries have urged China to press Russia to stop its military actions in Ukraine. But are they right to assume that a word in Vladimir Putin’s ear from Xi Jinping would lead to a cease fire? It is hard to judge whether Xi Jinping is angry or frustrated with Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. Dr. Marcin Kaczmarski, a lecturer in security studies at the University of Glasgow, is better placed than most people to read the signals, as he’s made the relationship between China and Russia his principle area of research for many years. In this podcast he discusses the Ukraine situation with host, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Hong Kong’s battle for freedom | 09 Aug 2022 | 00:15:17 | |
For many decades, people in Hong Kong enjoyed a level of freedom which was in marked contrast to life in other parts of China. Following the end of the British colonial era in 1997, the Communist Party promised that Hong Kong would remain highly autonomous for fifty years under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle. Yet when mass street demonstrations erupted in 2019-2020, China responded with sweeping national security legislation, leading to many arrests and the dismantlement of civil society. Mark Clifford, author of Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow The World, shares his reflections with Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| China’s problems with faltering growth and rising debt | 02 Aug 2022 | 00:15:36 | |
One of the loudest messages from the Chinese Communist Party is that it has delivered wealth to citizens by creating an environment in which the economy grows and thrives. However, as a result of the zero-Covid policy and other factors, the economy has hit the buffers. Gross domestic product rose just 0.4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2022 missing expectations and suggesting a recession could be on the way in parts of China such as Hong Kong and Shanghai. In this podcast, Paul Hodges from New Normal Consulting considers China’s economic outlook with host, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Waving the red flag: The rise of Chinese patriotism | 26 Jul 2022 | 00:14:13 | |
The Chinese Communist Party routinely encourages people to be patriotic and to love their country. Textbooks which are studied in all of China’s schools highlight achievements of which they should be proud - including, of course, the success of the Communist Party. The rise in nationalism is not exclusive to China. Yet contemporary Chinese nationalism cultivated by the CCP alarms its neighbours and other outsiders, partly because it often appears to demean foreigners. In this podcast, Professor John Fitzgerald from Melbourne discusses the complex nature of nationalism and patriotism in China with host, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| How does the Communist Party view China’s wealth inequality? | 20 Jul 2022 | 00:14:56 | |
China is a land of contradictions. This shows up in a stark gap between rich and poor, which is evident through the contrast between conspicuous consumption in the big cities and the much more basic way of life in the countryside. In fact, even though it may not feel like it, the wealth gap is gradually narrowing. But is this down to government policy? And does the resentment caused by inequality present a potential threat to political stability? Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, offers his analysis of the situation, in conversation with podcast host, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| A powerful force: How cadres shape China | 12 Jul 2022 | 00:15:21 | |
Much of the hard work in running China falls to about 40 million party and government officials, known as cadres. These include powerful figures, such as provincial governors, bosses of state-owned enterprises and chief prosecutors. Originally, cadres were defined as professional revolutionaries, dedicated to the goals of the Communist Party. They still need to be loyal Communists but most of them spend more time on paperwork than insurrection. In this podcast, Professor John Fitzgerald, author of Cadre Country (2022), reveals the sophisticated political processes employed by the Chinese Communist Party. The presenter is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| What’s the best term for China’s unique system of governance? | 05 Jul 2022 | 00:15:26 | |
The international media uses strong words to describe China’s system of governance. American newspapers often inform their readers that China’s regime is “authoritarian” or “totalitarian”, or both. Yet supporters of the Communist Party say that China has developed a political system which perfectly suits its culture and that "socialism with Chinese characteristics” is a form of democracy, superior to that of the 'decadent west'. So what is the best terminology to properly describe the politics of contemporary China? Frank Tsai from China Crossroads in Shanghai discusses this issue with podcast host Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| A Tense New Era in Cross-Straits Relations | 28 Jun 2022 | 00:15:52 | |
The danger of war in the Taiwan Strait is growing. This island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which favours Taiwan’s de jure independence, is becoming increasingly friendly with the United States. President Biden has said America will fight to defend Taiwan if it is attacked. The threat from China is clear whenever its aircraft fly into Taiwanese airspace. Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute offers his analysis of the situation, in conversation with podcast host, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Beijing to Britain: A relationship in flux | 21 Jun 2022 | 00:12:57 | |
British foreign policy, including towards China, is being forged under fraught circumstances. The Conservative government is losing favour not just with the press and the public but has also experienced battles among its own members. Politicians are sometimes referred to as hawks or doves on China, yet how suitable are such labels? And how much do Britain’s elected representatives really understand China? Sam Hogg founder of Beijing to Britain discusses politics with Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Writing Shanghai, Writing China — A Tribute to Lynn Pan | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:43:08 | |
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. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Contested ideas: The US response to China's Intellectual Property theft | 14 Jun 2022 | 00:15:20 | |
China does not play fair when it comes to the intellectual property of American companies, according to the Biden administration. It is not a new allegation. The US has been complaining about having ideas stolen by China and the issue helped prompt a 'trade war' when Donald Trump was president. Last year, China amended its laws on patents and copyright. How far do these changes go in satisfying America’s concerns? In this podcast, Benjamin A Jacobs, the Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce China Centre, explains how businesses see the problem and talks through the response among policy makers in Washington. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Xi Jinping's global ambitions | 07 Jun 2022 | 00:14:57 | |
A decade into the leadership of Xi Jinping, China appears to have even greater potential to transform global affairs than at any stage since it began to open up to the outside world, about thirty years ago. We often hear it said that China is ambitious and assertive on the foreign policy front. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| China and Germany: A strained relationship | 31 May 2022 | 00:15:28 | |
As the global order changes, Germany is recasting its relations with China. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel visited China 12 times and forged a close relationship with Xi Jinping. However, under the current German leader Olaf Scholz, there’s a widening diplomatic gulf between the nations, with a growing wave of criticism of China’s human rights record. Both China and Germany face dramatic slowdowns in their economies. So how much do they need each other as trading partners? In this podcast Bonnie S Glaser, Director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, guides podcast host Duncan Bartlett through a complex international relationship. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| The close ties between Beijing and Hong Kong’s CEO | 24 May 2022 | 00:13:19 | |
Political ties between Beijing and Hong Kong are growing tighter as a new Chief Executive prepares to take power in the city. John Lee is an avid proponent of the national security legislation which was brought in to crack down on dissent in Hong Kong, following anti-government protests. Mr Lee is a former police chief and the main candidate favoured by the Chinese Communist Party. His promotion has caused concern among those who campaign for greater democracy and freedom of speech in Hong Kong. Howard Zhang, editor of the BBC’s Chinese service, considers the outlook for the city in conversation with podcast host Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| The Shanghai lockdown - An insider's view | 17 May 2022 | 00:13:23 | |
Twenty percent of China’s international trade flows through Shanghai, so when the port was hit by a lockdown at the start of April 2022, the repercussions quickly rippled across the globe. Companies such as Apple, Tesla, Adidas and Este Lauder all warned of disruption to their supply chains and the likelihood of higher costs for consumers. The enforced period of isolation has been a worrying time for Shanghai’s 25 million residents. In this week’s podcast, Frank Tsai - who’s been confined to his apartment in Shanghai for many weeks - speaks to presenter Duncan Bartlett about his experiences and considers the economic implications of China’s so-called “zero-Covid” approach. Frank Tsai is the founder of China Crossroads. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| How does South Korea’s new president Yoon Suk-yeol view China? | 10 May 2022 | 00:15:40 | |
South Korea’s new president is enjoying attention from both the United States and China. Yoon Suk-yeol spoke with President Biden just a few hours after he was elected and is preparing to host the US leader in Seoul in May. Mr Yoon has also spoken on the telephone with Xi Jinping, who assured him that China and South Korea are “inseparable partners”. It is a delicate balancing act but there are strong indications that Mr Yoon is more inclined to strengthen the alliance with the US than to draw closer politically to China. In this podcast, Paul Hodges, founder of New Normal consulting, discusses South Korea’s strategy towards China with Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| China, Taiwan and the United Nations | 03 May 2022 | 00:15:15 | |
China is one of very few countries to hold permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, a committee with the daunting brief to maintain peace and security throughout the world. The mood is often fractious, with China and Russia on one side, at loggerheads with Britain, France and the United States on the other. Xi Jinping recently proposed a new "global security initiative" that upholds the principle of "indivisible security", although he offered few details on how this might be implemented. In this podcast, Bonnie S Glaser, Director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, offers her analysis of China’s role at the UN. The podcast is hosted by the Editor of Asian Affairs, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| China's Money: What Everyone Needs To Know | 26 Apr 2022 | 00:14:48 | |
China regards its money as an ambassador to the world. It would like the yuan - or renminbi - to be held in just as much esteem as the euro, or even the US dollar; in other words, a truly global currency. Yet there are major barriers to the internationalisation of the renminbi, including its limited convertibility and China’s cautious approach towards financial openness. Arthur Kroeber, a founding partner of Gavekal Dragonomics, offers his perspective in this conversation with podcast host, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| China's stance on Russia and Ukraine - An Editor's perspective | 19 Apr 2022 | 00:16:02 | |
China has refused to condemn Russia’s belligerence in Ukraine, drawing accusations that Beijing has supported Moscow’s invasion. When Western nations imposed economic sanctions on Russia and supplied Ukraine with weapons, China warned that such moves add fuel to the fire. China’s leaders insist they are committed to promoting peace through negotiations with both Ukraine and Russia. In this podcast Howard Zhang, editor of the BBC’s Chinese Service, analyses the messages coming from Beijing with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Black prisons and disappearances | 12 Apr 2022 | 00:15:57 | |
The Chinese Communist Party operates an advanced surveillance network, which maintains strict control over all forms of information. Agents keep a particularly close watch over what is discussed on websites and social media. Those who step out of line with their comments on politics face being detained. There are frequent reports of politically motivated arrests and state-sanctioned “disappearances.” These include disturbing testimonies from people who say they have been held in a so-called system of "black jails" - secret prisons in which inmates are cut off from all contact with the outside world. On this podcast Michael Caster, the co-founder of Safeguard Defenders, a human rights group which has made a detailed study of the way political dissidents are treated by the authorities in China, offers his perspective on the issue to host, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| China's Economic Challenges — Consumption Slump and Soaring Local Government Debt | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:51:57 | |
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). For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| How the Covid crisis impacts investors’ views on China | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:14:57 | |
People who invest money in China are seriously concerned about the wave of Covid-19 which has spread across the country in the spring of 2022. With daily cases numbering in the thousands, cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen have been subject to lockdowns. The longer the crisis continues, the more profound the impact on China’s economic growth. There are international implications, too, as many countries depend on Chinese supply chains for vital goods and services. In this podcast, Janet Mui, head of market analysis from Brewin Dolphin, discusses the situation with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Should there be a boycott of China over human rights issues in Xinjiang? | 29 Mar 2022 | 00:14:28 | |
The plight of the people who live in the Chinese province of Xinjiang is a matter of heated debate at the United Nations, in parliaments and on social media. It is here that human rights abuses against the Uyghurs are taking place, according to the United States, the European Union and the UK - all of which have responded with sanctions on Chinese officials. Shoppers are also drawn into the debate, through a campaign to discourage people from buying clothes made from cotton which has been picked or processed by Uyghur prisoners. But do sanctions or boycotts bring about a change which benefits the Uyghurs? Professor Darren Byler, an expert on Chinese Central Asia, who teaches at the Simon Fraser University in Canada, considers the ethics. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||
| Xinjiang's detention centres: Re-education or concentration camps? | 22 Mar 2022 | 00:15:24 | |
China has a very serious image problem when it comes to the treatment of of the Uyghurs and other Turkic ethnic groups in the north-western province of Xinjiang. Internet searches on the topic throw up phrases such as “genocide” and “forced labour”. Some researchers estimate that since 2016, more than one million people have been detained without trial. However, while China's critics accuse it of crimes against humanity, the authorities insist that peace and stability has returned to a restive area, once plagued by violent unrest and terrorism. In this podcast, Michael Clarke, editor of The Xinjiang Emergency and a Visiting Fellow at the Australia-China Relations Institute, discusses the situation with host, Duncan Bartlett. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ ________________________________________ | |||