Ning Leng

Ning Leng, an expert in Chinese political economy and author of "Politicizing Business," dives into the intricate dance between business and politics in China. She explains how the state embeds itself in firms, impacting everything from employment to waste management. Ning discusses the vagueness of political demands, the recurring punishments firms face, and the peculiar case of a stunning wastewater plant that became a source of protests. She warns that politicization can undermine investment confidence and sustainability, raising critical questions about the future of China's economy.

Ning Leng, Assistant Professor at Georgetown specializing in Chinese political economy, discusses how officials press private firms into visible projects to signal competence and secure promotions. She explores firms’ roles in social control, comparisons across sectors like buses and waste incineration, and the fieldwork challenges of studying state–business relations in China.

Ning Leng, Assistant Professor at Georgetown specializing in Chinese political economy, explores how officials turn private firms into political instruments. She discusses visible infrastructure choices, why companies accept loss-making deals, the role of firms in controlling protests, and how promotion incentives reshape public services. The conversation also previews her work on Chinese firms in Latin America.