China Plus

Chat Lounge

News EN ↓ 100 episodes

A place to unpack reactions to major events and hot issues in a casual setting.

Author

China Plus

Category

News

Podcast website

radio.cgtn.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

The next phase of Hong Kong's financial evolution 10.07.2026

Beijing has unveiled a sweeping new package of measures to strengthen Hong Kong's role as the world's leading offshore renminbi hub and an international financial center. But why now? From expanding Bond Connect and offshore RMB liquidity to developing gold trading and new risk-management tools, are these measures simply deepening Hong Kong's financial markets or redefining its role in the global...

Working beyond retirement: What does China's new framework for over-age workers mean? 03.07.2026

Retirement, is it really the end of the road? China doesn't seem to think so. The country has unveiled its first nationwide rules to protect over-age workers, including eligible foreign employees. Why now? Will the new protections encourage people to work longer, or make employers think twice? And how does China's approach compare with other aging societies? Host TU Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston,...

China’s new FDI playbook goes beyond market access 26.06.2026

China has unveiled a new action plan to stabilize and upgrade foreign investment. Is this just another policy update, or does it signal a deeper shift in China's approach to opening up? Why is the focus moving from market access to helping foreign companies thrive after they enter? Which sectors stand to benefit most? And amid global uncertainty and fierce competition for capital, can China remain...

What could a Chery-Nissan partnership in the UK mean for the global auto industry? 19.06.2026

A Chinese carmaker. A Japanese factory. A British production line. Could this be the future of the global auto industry? As Chery considers building vehicles at Nissan's Sunderland plant, we examine whether this is simply a business deal or a sign of a new phase in China's automotive globalization? Why are Chinese carmakers shifting from exporting vehicles to building overseas production networks?...

A youth triumph that offers hope for Chinese football 12.06.2026

They are champions. They are trailblazers. And they're only 12 years old. A group of Chinese youngsters has stunned Europe, becoming the first Asian team to win Italy's prestigious Sigismondi Cup, often called the "Mini World Cup" of youth football. What did these players get right? Is this simply a remarkable youth football story? What lessons can China's football system learn? And can this gener...

China expands access to public services for non-Hukou residents 05.06.2026

China has unveiled a landmark reform that could affect hundreds of millions of migrant workers and their families. Supporters say it's a breakthrough for fairness and opportunity. Critics wonder whether cities can afford it and whether implementation will match ambition. Could this unleash new consumer spending and housing demand? Will China's biggest cities become even more attractive? And what h...

China tightens crackdown on illegal cross-border brokerage activities 29.05.2026

China's securities regulator has launched a major crackdown on illegal cross-border securities activities, targeting online brokerages operating outside the country's regulatory framework. Why is Beijing acting now after years of scrutiny? What risks are regulators trying to contain? And does this signal a new era of stronger oversight in China's financial markets? Host Tu Yun joins Professor Hans...

Is Europe's de-Sinicization push about security or economic self-harm? 22.05.2026

From new supply chain rules and punitive tariffs to restrictions on Chinese technology in Europe's green transition, Brussels is taking increasingly aggressive steps to reduce dependence on China. But is the EU strengthening its economic security or undermining its own competitiveness? Can Europe really replace China's industrial ecosystem? Will these measures protect European industries, or will...

New start for easing China-U.S. tech tensions or just a brief pause? 16.05.2026

As U.S. President Donald Trump has returned to China, are Beijing and Washington heading toward a tech thaw or merely pausing before tensions further escalate? From chips and AI to EVs, robotics, and space technology, host Tu Yun joins Professor Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also a senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Josef Mahoney, Professor of...

Ports, power and risk: Landbridge's Darwin Port fight tests future of global investment rules 08.05.2026

Chinese company Landbridge is fighting to hold on to Darwin Port after Australia said it may reclaim the lease. Landbridge has launched arbitration at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, potentially the first investor–state case the Australian government will face at the World Bank body. Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of T...

What DeepSeek V4 signals for the global AI race beyond computing 01.05.2026

China's DeepSeek AI startup has unveiled its latest model, reportedly at just a fraction of the cost of comparable U.S. systems. Could that price edge help it win over users? Reports say the launch was delayed to align with Chinese-made chips, marking a shift toward domestic hardware. Is that trade-off worth it? And after a stark warning from Nvidia's CEO and fresh pressure from Washington, what d...

Beyond the screen: how “film+” tourism and AI redefine moviegoer experience 24.04.2026

As the Beijing International Film Festival takes over the city, films are no longer just something we watch in cinemas. They’re connecting tourism, retail, entertainment, and even cutting-edge tech. What does this “film plus” experience look like for audiences today? And as AI reshapes the film industry, what opportunities and challenges lie ahead? Host Xu Yawen spoke with Li Lun, assistant profes...

AI glasses, flying cars, humanoid robots at CICPE 2026 — gimmicks or the future? 17.04.2026

From AI-powered glasses to flying cars and next generation of humanoid robots, companies from home and abroad have gathered in China’s Hainan province for the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), also known as the Hainan Expo. What groundbreaking innovations are featured at the expo? Are these cutting-edge technologies just gimmicks, or will they truly become part of our future...

SMILE: When China and Europe meet beyond Earth 10.04.2026

SMILE, a joint China–Europe satellite, is about to capture something we've never seen before: Earth's magnetic shield in action. What is it trying to do? Why does it matter, and how could it affect your phone, your flight, or even the power grid? And in a divided world, what does this rare space partnership really reveal? Host Tu Yun joins Professor Quentin Parker, the Director of the Lab for Spac...

China's ocean economy at a turning point 03.04.2026

Since elevating the goal of becoming a "maritime power" in 2012, China has made significant progress. What are the most eye-catching achievements? As the focus shifts from speed to quality, how could China's AI and digital tech edge help reshape the country's traditional maritime sectors? And in a system where a few countries still hold technological and narrative dominance, how can China gain a g...

China's consumer rebound: What's really driving the new trends? 27.03.2026

China's consumer spending has shown a noticeable rebound in the first two months of the year. What are the key drivers? Though the performance beat expectations, it remains the weakest start to a year since 2000, excluding the pandemic slump. How much of a concern is this against the backdrop of still-fragile consumer confidence and broader economic headwinds? And as the rise of the "emotional eco...

Is Apple becoming more compliant in China? 20.03.2026

Apple is lowering its App Store commission in China, a move believed to be a major concession in one of its most important markets. What's driving the change? How may it affect developers, consumers, and Apple's business model in the country? And could this signal a broader shift in the balance of power between regulators and Big Tech? Host TU Yun joins Professor Doug Guthrie, the Director of Chin...

Is the era of U.S. stocks dominance shifting? 13.03.2026

Global financial giant UBS has downgraded U.S. stocks, as markets stumble into one of their worst starts in decades. Is this a routine reset or a warning shot? Where is capital moving now? Are emerging markets the real story? And with geopolitics heating up and the Fed in play, is this a short-term wobble or the start of a structural shift in global capital? Host Tu Yun joins Warwick Powell, Adjun...

Two Sessions Special: Decode China's financial priorities for the coming year 07.03.2026

China will set up a national-level mergers and acquisitions fund to help venture capital investors find an exit. How urgent is the need? And with cumulative dividends and share buybacks hitting a record high, what does that signal about the reshaping of China’s securities market? Host TU Yun joins Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University, John Gong, Professor of Economi...

2026 Two Sessions: China’s Global Governance Initiative in action 27.02.2026

For the first time, the Global Governance Initiative, a framework for reforming international relations, is set to feature in the recommendations for China’s new Five-Year Plan. This comes as national lawmakers and political advisors prepare to gather in Beijing for the annual “Two Sessions” in the coming days. GGI emphasizes sovereign equality, international law, and multilateralism. It prioritiz...

Will the U.S. rare earth futures plan undermine China's dominance? 19.02.2026

Chicago-based financial services company CME Group is reportedly working on a plan to launch the world's first rare earth futures contract. Can the U.S. reshape pricing power without controlling production? What countermove may Beijing take? Will China's dominance in price-setting be diluted? And are we expecting a bifurcated system in the global mineral sector? Host Tu Yun joins Professor Andy Mo...

When the world comes to China for Spring Festival 13.02.2026

This Spring Festival, China isn't just welcoming the Year of the Horse. It's welcoming the world. Foreign flight bookings are up more than 400 percent, with visitors flooding in from Russia, Europe, and even Argentina. Why now? What's driving this surge? Visas, social media, or something deeper? And as more foreigners come to China to experience the holiday, is Spring Festival becoming a global cu...

China bans hidden car door handles: Safety fix or global rule-setting moment? 06.02.2026

Sleek, flush, futuristic--hidden door handles once symbolized the EV era. Now, they're being flagged as safety risks. China is set to ban them, becoming the first country in the world to do so. What triggered the move? How will it affect automakers? Will the impact stop at car design, or ripple into global standards? Host Tu Yun is joined by Professor Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette...

Why does China aim for a price recovery? 30.01.2026

The world seems to be experiencing a split. While Europe and the U.S. work to bring inflation down, China is grappling with a different problem, persistently weak prices. What's going on? Why do low prices worry Beijing? How are policymakers aiming for a "reasonable" rebound? And can the goal be achieved without creating new risks at home or abroad? Host Tu Yun is joined by Professor Liu Baocheng,...

Why is "Becoming Chinese" going viral overseas? 23.01.2026

What does it mean to "become Chinese," and why are people saying it online? From TikTok to X, the phrase is going viral. Is it cultural admiration, social commentary, or a search for alternatives? Host Tu Yun is joined by Dr. Qu Qiang, a professor and fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China, Dr. Warwick Powell, an adjunct professor of the Queensland University of T...

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