Rupert Wingfield-Hayes

Rupert Wingfield Hayes, experienced journalist and former BBC correspondent in Beijing, Tokyo and Taiwan, offers analysis on rising Japan-China tensions. He discusses provocative parliamentary remarks about Taiwan. He traces historical memories from 1895, links nationalist politics to anti-immigrant and overtourism backlashes, and surveys economic and security frictions shaping the region.

Jim McGregor, a Greater China expert and former Dow Jones head, joins Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, BBC's Asia correspondent in Taiwan, and Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, to discuss the potential impact of Donald Trump's re-election on US-China relations. They explore the risks of new trade tariffs and how Trump's unpredictability might empower China in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan. The conversation also highlights Taiwan's defense spending amid external pressures and the intricate dynamics influencing North Korea's relationship with China.

Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, a BBC Asia correspondent in Taipei, joins experts Amanda Hsiao, a Senior Analyst for China, Dr. Lauren Dickey, a Taiwan analyst, and Shashank Joshi, the defence editor at The Economist. Together, they navigate the complexities of China’s push for 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan. They discuss Taiwan’s crucial role in semiconductor production, the historical claims fueling tensions, and the intricate military dynamics involved. The conversation also addresses strategies for countering Chinese blockades and the geopolitical implications in the South China Sea.