Chat Lounge

From nickel-rich rainforests to battery plants on the rise, Indonesia is teaming up with China to chase the EV prize. A massive battery project in the Southeast Asian country promises new jobs, growth, and green power. But there are also doubts and questions. Is it a clean-energy leap, or a high voltage gamble? With big hopes, how could this shape Asia's green future? Host Tu Yun joins Andy Mok, a...

The newly launched Payment Connect scheme between China's mainland and Hong Kong is set to transform cross-border payments, making transfers faster, cheaper, and as simple as using a phone number. How may it reshape trade, tourism, and convenience across the Greater Bay Area? Will it pave the way for broader use of the digital Chinese currency and future breakthroughs in global finance? And how do...

China's biopharma boom is on, and foreign investors are flooding in. As we dive into the billion-dollar wave of foreign investment reshaping China's biotech landscape, check out Why pharma giants like Roche and AstraZeneca are expanding their footprint here. What strategic edge does China offer in global drug development? And can the country become a global biopharma innovation powerhouse by 2030?...

As we look ahead to the upcoming second China-Central Asia Summit, we take this opportunity to explore the critical role of media in shaping and supporting regional cooperation. How can media in China and Central Asian countries serve as a bridge for understanding and trust? What can we do to promote a more balanced and objective global discourse about our region? How do we make sure the voices of...

In a world increasingly divided, can diplomacy speak with a new voice? From Hong Kong, a bold new initiative is taking shape: the International Organization for Mediation, or IOMed, promises to settle disputes not with judges and rulings but with conversation and consensus. Is this a fresh, flexible alternative to the courtroom or a so-called challenge to the existing global legal order? What's th...

China is strengthening its ties with Pacific Island nations following the conclusion of a major diplomatic event – the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held in Xiamen. The meeting, chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, brought together senior diplomats from 11 Pacific nations with formal ties to Beijing. What were the key takeaways from the meeting? How is Ch...

Washington is tightening its containment of China's tech industry, launching a global crackdown on AI chips from Chinese firms, with Huawei squarely in the crosshairs. What's fueling this escalation? And how might it reshape the global semiconductor landscape? Host Tu Yun joins Andy Mok, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Dr. Warwick Powell, an Adjunct Professor at...

It's a deal, but not a done deal. The temporary tariff agreement reached between China and the United States has brought a glimmer of positivity to a world shrouded in Washington's tariff war. What immediate impact will the deal have on the course of two-way trade? Does the agreement have any implications for other countries currently in talks with the U.S.? How may Beijing respond if Washington b...

Chinese President Xi Jinping has had a state visit to Russia. The visit coincides with Russia's Victory Day celebrations on May 9, marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, which brought an end to the Second World War in Europe. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, signifying the comple...

A mischievous little monster packed in mystery boxes is setting off a global craze from Asia to North America. Labubu, the fluffy, toothy toy from China, is sending fans camping out overnight and driving resale prices sky-high. How did a China-made plush punch through the thick wall of tariffs and land in America's hottest new stores, opening one after another across the country? What's behind the...

From eggs to Hollywood and global trust to monetary stability, America's tariff war against the rest of the world is dearly backfiring on its own people and economy. What are Americans losing due to the U.S. tariff war? US officials have indicated tariffs on China could drop substantially. But how reliable is such a statement, and can it reverse the damage already done? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Yan L...

Three countries, one tour, and a clear message from Beijing- President Xi Jinping touched down in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia this week, marking one of his most strategic Southeast Asian tours in years. What's behind the charm offensive? While the U.S. is fueling global confusion and frustration with its tariff war, China and its Southeast Asian partners are trying to inject cooperation and st...

History doesn't just echo, it warns. As Washington ramps up tariffs and the world braces for economic whiplash, are we watching a 21st-century rerun of Hoover's Great Depression playbook? From China's counterstrikes to cracks in America's economy, we unpack whether this trade war is strategy or self-sabotage and how it may accelerate the formation of a "post-American" global trade order. Host Tu Y...

Shanghai has become a pioneering city in China to introduce standards regulating smoking in outdoor public spaces. Could this be the start of a nationwide shift? China aims to cut adult smoking from 24% to 20% by 2030, but with cigarette sales still climbing, how challenging is that goal? Can this policy truly make an impact, or will deep-rooted smoking culture stand in the way? Host Tu Yun joins...

The U.S. is attempting to revive its shipyards—not with innovation, but with tariffs. A hefty 1.5-million-US-dollar fee on China-made bulk ships could shake global shipping. Will it backfire on the U.S.? Can America rebuild its industry? Will business pressure sink the plan before it sets sail? Host Tu Yun joins Dr Jane Haider, a Reader in Transport, Logistics and Operations Management at Cardiff...

China's economic growth is outperforming expectations. But questions remain: when will the property slump end? Can consumer confidence keep rising? And how much will US tariffs bite? Host Tu Yun joins William Lee, the Chief Economist with the U.S.-based Milken Institute, Dr Li Wei, a Senior Lecturer at the Business School of University of Sydney, and Dr. Li Lun, an Assistant Professor of Economics...

Once upon a time, fat people were believed to be more blessed. Now, they are urged to watch their weight. On this week's Chat Lounge, host Tu Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston, an associate professor of the China Studies Centre, University of Sydney, Australia, Dr. Julie Ju Shi, an associate professor of health economics at the School of Economics and the School of Global Health Development, Peking Un...

Private firms drive China's economy. They represent 90% of all enterprises, 60% of GDP, and over 80% of urban jobs. But with global supply chains in turmoil, how can they keep growing and thriving? Host Tu Yun and co-host Professor Qu Qiang from Minzu University of China join Michael Woo Kim-kong, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, an...

China's Two Sessions, the country's major political event, is underway in Beijing and drawing global attention. During the meetings, Chinese lawmakers set economic, trade, and diplomatic policies and goals for key strategic areas in the year ahead. What key economic goals are highlighted in this year's Government Work Report? How can China achieve its growth targets of "around 5%" amid external ch...

Gold prices are soaring, hitting new highs more than 10 times this year! How unusual is this? What's driving the surge in addition to US President Donald Trump's tariff plan? How long might this trend last? What ripple effects will it have on the global economy and on our daily lives? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Hans-peter Burghof, a professor and Chair of the Banking and Finance Department, University...

China has conducted another major asset reshuffle to overhaul its financial sector. The Ministry of Finance has transferred all of its controlling stakes in a group of financial companies to Central Huijin Investment, a sovereign fund under the State Council. What prompted the reshuffle? Is it just an asset transfer between different pockets of the central government? To what extent will it help t...

Chinese equities are hot right now. Global hedge funds have been snapping up Chinese stocks this year, fueled by the emergence of artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek. What are the implications of the buying spree for the country's equity market and the whole economy? How long will the momentum continue? How may the world's investment landscape change as a result? And as global institutional i...

Some say it’s the art of the deal. Others argue it’s merely extortion and blackmail. As US President Donald Trump wields his tariff stick around the world, how big will it impact the U.S. domestic market and the global economy? What can the rest of the world do in response? How far will the U.S. tariffs go? And what’s the outlook for Trump achieving the vision of revitalizing manufacturing? Host T...

Wall Street has been stunned. A Chinese quantitative hedge fund fueled a massive selloff of tech stocks, not with quant trading, but with the release of its large-language model, DeepSeek R1. How could a Chinese hedge fund trigger such a shockwave in the AI sector? How may it reshape AI-related industries? Does it signal an acceleration of China catching up or surpassing the U.S. in AI? And is it...

The fate of TikTok hangs in the balance once again. The popular video-sharing app, used by 170 million Americans, went dark last Saturday just before a federal law was set to take effect. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, just hours after his swearing-in, allowing TikTok to continue operating for 75 days. Trump’s proposed joint venture model, which would require U.S....