Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast China In Context
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How America's Democratic Party views China | 30 Aug 2024 | 00:15:10 | |
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 host is regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett. ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| The politics of pandas | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:14:21 | |
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 Professor James Laurenceson, Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology in Sydney. ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| Xi Jinping's attitude towards the Global South | 18 Jun 2024 | 00:14:40 | |
China 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. ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| The risk of war over Taiwan | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:14:56 | |
Tension 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 Admiral Mike Studeman from the United States Navy discusses the risk of conflict over Taiwan with regular presenter, Duncan Bartlett. ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| The political significance of Tibet | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:13:40 | |
Tibet, 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. ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| Politically correct history: How the Chinese Communist Party tells its story | 15 Mar 2022 | 00:14:40 | |
Speeches by Xi Jinping are full of references to the events over the past hundred years, as well as stories from China's ancient past. For Mr Xi, the narrative follows China’s steady progress towards prosperity following a century of humiliation, which began with the Opium War in the 1840s. But some historians say that the Party's version of history is too narrow-minded and nationalistic. By brushing over past problems, they say, China misses the opportunity to learn valuable lessons and avoid future mistakes. In this podcast Zeyu Xu, a journalist from the news agency Xinhua in Beijing, discusses the party's approach to history 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| Will common prosperity close the gap between rich and poor? | 08 Mar 2022 | 00:13:44 | |
China is a far richer nation than it was 40 years ago, when it began to integrate with the global economy. However, income disparity has also widened, which is a concern to the Chinese Communist Party, especially as it seems to be an affront to its socialist principles. Xi Jinping has begun a campaign to narrow the gap between rich and poor and create what he calls “material and spiritual wealth”. The campaign has a slogan: “common prosperity”. In this podcast, Scott Rozelle from Stanford University in California considers the implications, both for businesses and for China’s poorest citizens. The podcast is hosted by 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| Threats to China's economy | 01 Mar 2022 | 00:12:40 | |
China's leaders have revealed that they are worried about a number of threats to economic growth, some of them quite serious. Premier Li Keqiang adopted a downbeat tone in a recent speech, expressing his concern at a "complex and grim domestic and international environment" and acknowledging "new downward pressure on the economy". A key concern is a sharp slowdown in the property sector. There are also ongoing costs associated with the pandemic, as China takes a zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19. In this podcast, Tommy Wu from Oxford Economics in Hong Kong offers his expert analysis on the risks facing China. 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| Hong Kong’s relentless battle with Covid | 22 Feb 2022 | 00:12:35 | |
Just as much of the world seems to be emerging from the pandemic, the Covid-19 situation in Hong Kong is getting worse. By February 2022, hospitals were in danger of becoming overwhelmed with sick patients, with thousands of people being diagnosed with the coronavirus every day. Xi Jinping said Hong Kong must “mobilise all forces and resources” in the fight against the Omicrom variant. In this podcast, Tommy Wu of Oxford Economics discusses the implications for Hong Kong 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| The middle income trap | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:14:59 | |
Xi Jinping claims that China has achieved a tremendous feat by raising the standard of living of its citizens. "No other country can lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in such a short time," he said in 2021, describing the achievement as "a human miracle that will go down in history." However, another huge challenge awaits; keeping China out of the so-called “middle-income trap” - a stage of economic development at which wage levels stagnate. If that happens, it would prevent China from joining the ranks of rich nations, even if its economy is the largest in the world, overtaking America in its total size. In this podcast, Scott Rozelle from Stanford University discusses China's trajectory of development 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| America's relationship with Taiwan - Reasons for concern | 08 Feb 2022 | 00:15:35 | |
In January 2022 China's ambassador to the US, Qin Gang, warned Mr Biden: "If the Taiwanese authorities, emboldened by the United States, keep going down the road for independence, it most likely will involve China and the United States, the two big countries, in a military conflict." He continued: "Let me emphasise this, the Taiwan issue is the biggest tinderbox between China and the United States." ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| Is Joe Biden recklessly risking conflict with China? | 01 Feb 2022 | 00:13:48 | |
China is one of the most hotly debated topics in American politics and the cause of much division. In both the Senate and Congress, representatives tussle over whether China should be regarded as a strategic competitor, a threat, or a malign influence. Think tanks in Washington offer their interpretations, too. ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| The political and economic thinking behind China's concept of “dual circulation” | 25 Jan 2022 | 00:14:31 | |
As China strives to become more self-reliant, the Chinese Communist Party is keenly promoting a strategy it calls "dual circulation". This pushes for more goods and services to be developed in China, serving domestic consumers, while at the same time China keeps up enthusiastic trade with the rest of the world. ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| Growing security concerns in East Asia | 18 Jan 2022 | 00:15:24 | |
China’s increasing influence has profoundly changed the power dynamic in Asia. For decades, its economic growth has outstripped that of Japan and under Xi Jinping, there's also clear ambition to build the People's Liberation Army into a world class military. That army, through its coastguard division, constantly irks Japan by sailing vessels into the waters near the Senkaku, or Diaoyu islands, which Japan insists are its sovereign territory. Thus Japan has grown increasingly wary of China both as an economic rival and as a threat to its national security. Bill Emmott, chairman of the International Institute for Strategic Studies - a think tank based in London which provides insight into matters relating to security and political risk, discusses the situation with Duncan Bartlett, Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute. ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| China's approach to the Middle East | 28 May 2024 | 00:13:17 | |
China'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. ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| China, Japan and the Olympics | 11 Jan 2022 | 00:14:19 | |
Chinese athletes brought glory to their country at the Tokyo Olympics through shooting, diving, weight lifting and table tennis. China hopes the Winter Olympics in Beijing will further boost the nation's international reputation by creating a harmonious atmosphere among skiers and snowboarders. However, the delegations of many countries face a dilemma. Are they obliged to take a stance on China's human rights record? Or should they endeavour to separate politics from sport? In this podcast, renowned author Bill Emmott, chair of the Japan Society of the UK, discusses the response of the Japanese delegation with podcast host, 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| Dramatic changes in the relationship between China and Australia | 04 Jan 2022 | 00:14:20 | |
Ministerial contact between China and Australia was severed in 2021 as a result of a bitter trade dispute, which has impacted exports of Australian wine, barley, lobster, beef and coal to China. On the security front, Australia has signed up to AUKUS, a nuclear-powered submarine agreement with the United Kingdom and the United States, in a move widely seen as an attempt to counter China's influence. In this podcast Dr Bates Gill, Chair, China Policy Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney takes stock of the situation as Australia prepares to hold a federal election. 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| The outlook for the China-EU relationship in 2022 | 14 Dec 2021 | 00:14:40 | |
Europe is shifting its thinking on China in profound ways. The European Union, once criticized as “soft on China'', has now become outspoken on human rights issues and even sent an official parliamentary delegation to Taiwan. Deep business ties remain but within the EU, public opinion is becoming more sceptical towards China in many European countries, including some which were previously regarded as pro-Beijing. In this podcast, Professor Hanns W. Maull from the Mercator Institute for China Studies (Merics) in Berlin discusses EU-China relations 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| How will Olaf Scholz's approach to China be different to that of Angela Merkel? | 07 Dec 2021 | 00:16:04 | |
Big changes are taking place in China's relationship with Germany. Foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, from the Green party, has signalled a more assertive stance, especially on human rights issues, after the commerce-driven pragmatism of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 16 years in power. Ms Baerbock is a key figure in the new cabinet led by Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, Germany's new Chancellor. In this podcast Hanns Maull, Senior Associate Fellow at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (Merics) in Berlin analyses the political situation in both Germany and China. 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| All guns blazing: the political messages of Chinese war films | 30 Nov 2021 | 00:13:00 | |
The highest grossing films at the Chinese box office are war movies. Wolf Warrior 1 and 2, and The Battle at Lake Changjin, portray heroic Chinese soldiers battling against foreign enemies, including the Americans. These big budget productions are overseen by an arm of the state known as the China Film Administration. Are they therefore a form or propaganda, or can they be defined as art? Dr Xiaoning Lu, a lecturer in Chinese culture and cinema at SOAS, shares her views on the political messages of the films, in conversation 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| Expert analysis of the Xi Biden summit | 23 Nov 2021 | 00:14:30 | |
America`s president, Joe Biden, held talks by video link with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping in November 2021. Mr Xi said he was “ready to take active steps” to improve relations between the countries and Mr Biden called for cooperation “where our interests intersect.” Yet the language was often confrontational, suggesting more clashes lie ahead. In this podcast, Dr Olivia Cheung, a specialist in the political thought of Xi Jinping at the SOAS China Institute, gives her expert analysis of the meeting and its implications for the rest of the world. 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| Explaining the thoughts of Xi Jinping on climate change | 16 Nov 2021 | 00:14:13 | |
There was a major breakthrough at the Cop-26 climate change conference when China and the United States issued a joint declaration. They said they would work together to achieve the 1.5C temperature goal set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. It paves the way for a historic virtual summit between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the end of 2021. In this podcast, Qinduo Xu a political analyst from China`s Pangoal Institution gives his view on Xi Jinping`s climate policy to 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 is the attitude of Japan's new prime minister towards China? | 09 Nov 2021 | 00:16:09 | |
Chinese culture and philosophy have influenced Japan. The languages have an overlapping system of writing and there are fusions of ideas in many spheres. Politically however, the countries seem very far apart, especially given Japan`s determination to side with the United States in the great-power rivalry between America and China, which shapes international relations in Asia and beyond. Japan recently had an election, in which Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was victorious. In this podcast, Rory Green, Head of China and Asia Research TS Lombard, talks about Japan's approach towards China with Duncan Bartlett, a Research Associate at the SOAS China Centre and former BBC Tokyo Correspondent. ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| Is China seeking revenge for a "century of humiliation"? | 02 Nov 2021 | 00:12:49 | |
China's leader Xi Jinping often visits museums and his speeches are full of analogies from history. His books, such as the Governance of China suggest he seeks to learn lessons from history as a way of deciding how China should be run today. One of the themes which often comes up is China's so-called “Century of Humiliation". Dr Andrea Janku, a Senior Lecturer in the History of China at SOAS, University of London, explains the significance of the concept to 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 exuberant lifestyle of Evergrande's billionaire boss | 26 Oct 2021 | 00:13:14 | |
The crisis at the Chinese property group Evergrande Group has brought into focus the exorbitant lifestyle of its chairman, Hui Ka Yan. After vying with Jack Ma for the title of Asia's richest man, Mr Hui's fortune is plunging, as his company defaults on crucial debt repayments. Neither the government nor the central bank seem prepared to bail him out. Yet with liabilities running into hundreds of billions of dollars, Evergrande is seen by investors as a reminder of the risks of doing business with China. In this podcast, Paul Hodges, Chairman Of New Normal Consulting discusses the issues 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| China's grip on the internet in Southeast Asia | 21 May 2024 | 00:14:18 | |
China 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. ________________________________________ For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk ________________________________________ | |||
| Are China and Taiwan on the brink of conflict? | 19 Oct 2021 | 00:14:53 | |
What does it feel like to live on an island which the Economist magazine recently described as “the most dangerous place on earth?” Most people in Taiwan try to get on with their lives as normal, despite the undercurrent of fear caused by a threat of invasion by China. Tensions between China and Taiwan are at an all-time high, just as relations between the US and China reach an all-time low. In this podcast, Liam Gavan Gibson from Taiwan News explains the mood in Taipei and analyses the big speeches given by the presidents of Taiwan and the PRC in the autumn of 2021. The podcast is hosted by 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| The social and economic implications of China’s love of foreign food | 12 Oct 2021 | 00:14:14 | |
There are a lot of choices on the menu of China's restaurants these days and shops are brimming with ingredients from all around the world. As the disposable income of China’s middle class grows, people want to eat better. Of course, many people still have a taste for traditional dishes. But there’s also a craving for food made from foreign ingredients, such as premium rib-eye steak from the United States, or sweet pumpkins from Japan. In this podcast, Professor Bob Ash from the SOAS China Institute explains the social and political implications of this change in eating habits. The podcast is hosted by 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 ________________________________________ | |||
| Keeping China fed | 05 Oct 2021 | 00:15:30 | |
No country in the world has experienced famines as severe as the ones which cost tens of millions of lives in China in the middle of the last century. Yet now China proudly claims there`s more than enough food for all its citizens and even plenty left over. As people get richer, their taste changes. That means more fish and meat on the table and it also increases demand for foreign treats. In this podcast, Professor Bob Ash from the SOAS China Institute discusses China's rich and varied food culture 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 ________________________________________ | |||