Neil Thomas

Neil Thomas, fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, explains dramatic leadership changes in China’s military. He breaks down which top generals were removed and why that matters. He explores whether corruption charges hide political motives. He assesses how the purges affect the timeline and tactics for pressure on Taiwan.

Neil Thomas, a scholar of Chinese elite politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, breaks down the Two Sessions. He discusses elite purges and military shakeups. He explains the new 15th Five-Year Plan and its tech and AI priorities. He unpacks leadership rotations, Li Qiang’s rising role, and what signals mean for China’s political trajectory.

Andy Mok, a senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Neil Thomas, a fellow on Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, and William Lee, chief economist at the Milken Institute, delve into the tactics of the U.S.-China trade war. They discuss China's ambitious long-term goals and the implications of recent concessions. The trio debates whether the U.S. is retreating or just pragmatically de-escalating, while exploring the precarious nature of the truce and the potential roadblocks posed by Taiwan and security issues.