Cindy Yu

Cindy Yu, Times columnist and journalist offering sharp topical commentary. Scott Bennett, comedian known for quick-witted panel turns. Susie McCabe, stand-up comic bringing topical comedy flair. Paul Sinha, quizzer and comic with measured observations. They riff on political defections and U-turns, a mass water outage in Tunbridge Wells, Brexit-era party chaos, Scottish budget quirks and ambitious rail and green energy plans.

Cindy Yu, an economist and former podcast host, joins Mike Shear, a political journalist, Sam Green, a Russian politics expert, and Jim Murphy, a former Labour minister. They dive into the dynamics of strongman politics, analyzing Trump, Putin, and Xi. The panel evaluates military capabilities and willpower, ranking leaders on their resolve. Jim shares insider insights from Cabinet meetings, while the group also tackles listeners' petty grievances, making for a lively discussion on politics and everyday annoyances.

Cindy Yu, Times columnist — sharp journalistic wit. Simon Evans, comedian — satirical politics and US commentary. Zoe Lyons, comedian — topical humour and anecdotes. Ahir Shah, stand-up — observational political jokes. They riff on by-election chaos, Mandelson’s arrest confusion, Reform and Greens rising, Trump’s long State of the Union, and the absurdities of fly-tipping.

Cindy Yu, a columnist and contributing editor at The Times, dives deep into the plight of pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai, imprisoned in China for five years. She discusses his remarkable journey from a fashion mogul to a fierce political activist. The conversation highlights the implications of his trial on Hong Kong's democracy and the crucial role international support plays in advocating for human rights. Cindy also touches on the symbolism of Lai's imprisonment and its broader representation of the struggle for freedom in the region.

Laura Bicker, BBC’s China correspondent, and Cindy Yu, host of the Spectator’s Chinese Whispers, dive into the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China. They analyze Trump's tariffs and China's strategic responses, exploring how the tension shapes global economic dynamics. Joining them is Ben Westhoff, investigative journalist discussing the opioid crisis, linking it to political decisions like tariffs. Together, they unveil the intricate web of trade, politics, and the pressing need for solutions to the addiction epidemic.

Cindy Yu, Times columnist on UK–China diplomacy, and Isabel Hilton, longtime China watcher and founder of China Dialogue Trust, discuss Keir Starmer’s Beijing visit. They explore diplomatic signalling, security concerns and espionage stories. They debate China’s global ambitions, whether it seeks to police the world, and how smaller powers should navigate trade, red lines and pragmatic engagement.

Sam Olsen, who writes on politics and geopolitics at States of Play, and Cindy Yu, a Times columnist on UK–China relations, debate Starmer’s quiet China trip. They cover US-UK balancing, trade and supply-chain dependence, China’s leverage over critical materials, lifted sanctions and diplomatic signals, and how foreign policy ties back to domestic politics.

Cindy Yu, a columnist at The Times focused on UK–China relations, joins Geraldine Scott, assistant political editor, to unpack the controversy surrounding China's planned mega-embassy in London. They discuss the embassy's potential espionage risks, the political reactions from MPs, and the serious security concerns raised about transnational repression. The duo also explores why Prime Minister Keir Starmer might approve the construction, balancing national security against economic interests and diplomatic relations.

Cindy Yu, a journalist and columnist for The Times, shares her unique insights on China's rising influence. She describes her recent trip, revealing mixed sentiments about the economy and global politics. Key topics include a record $1 trillion trade surplus and the rise of the AI company DeepSeek, which is challenging US tech dominance. Cindy also discusses the cultural impact of RedNote among Western youth, contrasting it with the domestic tightening under Xi's rule and examining China's strategic ambitions for 2026.

Cindy Yu, a columnist at The Times, dives into the heated US-China trade tensions. She explores how the distinct negotiation styles of Trump and Xi shape outcomes. Listeners hear insights on how supply chains adapted post-2018 tariffs and the economic impacts on households in both nations. Yu explains China's strategic control over rare earth minerals and what 100% tariffs could mean for US consumers. With uncertainty looming, she reflects on both countries' goals and the broader global influence of China.