ChinaPower

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Agatha Kratz joins us to discuss how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Dr. Kratz provides background on the history and past successes of the BRI from 2013-2020. She argues that, prior to the pandemic, China’s BRI was at a low point. There were fewer contracts and increased scrutiny on past unsustainable projec...

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Stella Hong Zhang joins us to discuss China’s new model of international development cooperation. Ms. Zhang analyzes China’s January 2021 white paper titled “China’s International Development Cooperation in the New Era”, the shift in China’s international development policy, and the implications that this shift has for both China and other nations around...

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Ambassador Derek Mitchell joins us to discuss the implications of the 2021 Myanmar coup for China-Myanmar relations. Ambassador Mitchell analyzes the current state of China-Myanmar relations, describes its historical development, and outlines China’s interests within the region after the coup. Ambassador Mitchell also examines which areas the United State...

In this episode, Dr. Luke Patey joins us to discuss the implications of China’s rise in a dynamic world and how the rest of the world should respond. Dr. Patey challenges the idea that an ascendant China will lead to a world in which small developing countries become a sphere of influence for China. Alternatively, he contends smaller nations are not content to play a subservient role and there is...

On this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Mr. Peter Martin joins us to discuss his recent book, "China's Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy." Chinese diplomacy in the past several years has become more assertive and its diplomats have used sharper language --hence the name wolf warrior diplomacy which comes from a Chinese film. Peter Martin's research traces the roots of wolf war...

In this episode, Dr. Roslyn Layton and Dr. James Lewis discuss how to control the proliferation of technologies for military use with a special focus on China. Our guests explain the history of US export policy regarding advanced technology, noting the delicate balance between opportunities for private enterprise and the needs of national security. They describe the Wassenar Agreement and its impa...

This special episode of the ChinaPower podcast is the last of five featuring the audio from the China Power Project's fifth annual conference, which comprises five live online debates.    Prior to the debate, Representative Rick Larsen delivered keynote remarks on the challenges and opportunities posed by China’s growing power and the view from Congress, followed by a Q&A conversation hosted by Bo...

This special episode of the ChinaPower podcast is the fourth of five featuring the audio from the China Power Project's fifth annual conference, which comprises five live online debates. The fourth debate took place on December 9, 2020 and featured two experts debating the following proposition: Within the next five years, China will use significant military force against a country on its peripher...

This special episode of the ChinaPower podcast is the third of five featuring the audio from the China Power Project's fifth annual conference, which comprises five live online debates. The third debate took place on December 3, 2020 and featured two experts debating the following proposition: China will exploit the Covid-19 pandemic to shift the geopolitical balance of power in its favor.   As th...

This special episode of the ChinaPower podcast is the second of five featuring the audio from the China Power Project's fifth annual conference, which comprises five live online debates. The second debate took place on November 24, 2020 and featured two experts debating the following proposition: “One country, two systems” in Hong Kong is dead.   When Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997​, i...

This special episode of the ChinaPower podcast is the first of five featuring the audio from the China Power Project’s fifth annual conference, which comprised five live online debates. The first debate took place on November 19 and featured two experts debating the following proposition: The US-China relationship can best be described as a “new Cold War.” Over the last several years, relations be...

In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Wilson joins us to discuss China's expanding trade restrictions against Australia. Dr. Wilson analyzes China’s trade strategy of targeted geo-economic sanctions and argues that China’s goal is to maximize economic pain without hurting its own welfare. In addition, Dr. Wilson explains how China’s targeted sanctions on Australia’s top 20 exports to China could serve as a...

In this episode, Mr. Ankit Panda joins us to discuss China's growing conventional missile arsenal and associated implications for military strategy and security in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlights the role of China’s ground-based missiles in the projection of military strength, noting that an increased arsenal can hamper U.S. forces in the region and give the People’s Liberation Army increas...

In this episode, Dr. Darren Byler joins us to discuss China’s policies in Xinjiang and policy options for the international community. Dr. Byler analyzes the portrayal of Uyghur and Kazakh ethnic minorities in Xinjiang in comparison to other minorities in China and in relation to the Han majority. He describes how Chinese policymakers have shifted the discourse on policies towards Uyghur Muslims f...

In this episode, Mr. Bill Hayton joins us to discuss the genesis of China's thinking about sovereignty and how this shapes Chinese foreign policy today. He discusses the influence of Western notions of sovereignty on China during the Qing Dynasty and argues that the dynastic tributary system is still reflected to some extent in China’s current international relations. He further argues that the Qi...

In this episode, Dr. Mikko Huotari joins us to discuss the evolving relationship between Europe and China. He highlights the multifaceted relationship between China and the European Union, noting that the EU has labeled China as both a strategic partner and a systemic rival. Dr. Huotari argues that while the coronavirus has been a driver of recent tensions in the Europe-China relationship, there h...

This episode examines China’s role in the global climate change agenda and Xi Jinping’s commitment at the September 2020 UN General Assembly for China to become carbon-neutral by 2060. Mr. Sandalow argues that this new commitment provides an opportunity for China to present itself as a global leader on climate change policy, in contrast to the United States. Although China is the world’s largest e...

This episode examines the trajectory of Chinese military developments and national strategy, as well as key findings of the 2020 Department of Defense (DoD) annual report to Congress entitled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China. Our guest, Mr. Chad Sbragia, discusses a wide range of topics, including China’s capacity to launch an amphibious assault on Taiwan...

This episode examines China’s changing role in supply chains and the factors behind recent shifts in global production. Our guest, Dr. Wang Tao, explains why certain companies and sectors are more inclined to move their production outside of China while others choose to stay. Dr. Wang also assesses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and US-China trade war on supply chain decisions, as well as how...

This episode examines the increasing friction in US-China relations. Our guest, Dr. Lu Xiang, analyzes the primary factors behind the souring ties, and why the signing of the Phase 1 trade deal was not enough to buoy the relationship. Dr. Lu speaks about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bilateral relations, and the role he sees US domestic politics playing in exacerbating tensions. He also l...

This episode explores the dynamics behind the June 2020 China-India border clash, and examines what the episode signifies about the changing nature of China’s approach to territorial and maritime disputes. Our guest, Dr. M. Taylor Fravel, compares the recent clash to past incidents along the Sino-Indian border and discusses whether confidence building measures have the potential to prevent further...

This episode examines China’s efforts to develop smart city infrastructure. Our guest, Dr. Alice Ekman, analyzes how China is supporting domestic technology industries in critical sectors like telecommunications and surveillance to build smart cities. Dr. Ekman explains how Beijing’s ambitions are aimed at boosting economic development and maintaining political control throughout China’s urban env...

This episode explores the ups and downs of China’s relationship with the United Kingdom, particularly in the post-Brexit world. Our guest, Mr. Charles Parton, discusses the UK’s changing attitudes toward China and explains how Beijing's approaches to Xinjiang, 5G, Covid-19, and Hong Kong have altered UK strategic thinking. Mr. Parton also assesses the impact that the UK's departure from the Europe...

This episode examines China’s ambitions to lead the world in setting technical standards for emerging technologies. Our guest, Emily de La Bruyère, analyzes how China is advocating for its own technical standards to be adopted worldwide, and its concerted efforts to gain leverage in critical international standard-setting institutions. Ms. de La Bruyère explains Beijing’s China Standards 2035 plan...

This episode examines China’s engagement with Nepal and the trajectory of the China-Nepal bilateral relationship. Our guest, Mr. Gaurab Shumsher Thapa analyzes the impact of Xi Jinping’s 2019 visit to Nepal as well as China’s evolving political, security, and strategic interests in Nepal. Mr. Thapa explains the Nepalese government’s support of the “One-China Policy” and the importance of Nepal’s f...