China In Context

There is a mood of anxiety as China celebrates the Lunar New Year. With families and friends gathering for a season of feasting, there is a worry that there could be a surge in Covid-19 infections, costing many lives. In late 2022, the Chinese government ended its so-called “Zero-Covid” policy and lifted travel restrictions. In this podcast, Mark Williams, Chief Asia Economist at Capital Economics discusses the outlook for the Spring Festival with host, Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine. For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

There would be catastrophic consequences if China invades Taiwan and tries to reunify the island with the mainland by force. Taiwan has said it will fight back with advanced weapons supplied by the US. Joe Biden says the American military would become involved. As well as the human cost, the economic consequences would also be severe. In this podcast, renowned Sinologist Charles Parton considers if economic factors will deter a conflict. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

The U.S. Department of Defense maintains that China is using increasingly aggressive and bullying behaviour on the Taiwan Strait and is planning an invasion. Beijing dismisses this as an exaggeration and berates the US for stirring up anti-Chinese feelings on the island. Meanwhile, other countries in Asia warn of catastrophe in the event of a war. In this podcast, Dr Zuri Linetsky of the Eurasia Group Foundation discusses Taiwan with host Duncan Bartlett.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

Politicians in the UK are careful about how the official aid budget is spent. The money is expected to meet the needs of refugees coming to Britain, as well as helping people in regions affected by war, food shortages and natural disasters. In such circumstances, the government intends to slash aid to China. In this podcast, aid commissioner Sir Hugh Bayley discusses how the decision was reached with Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

Chinese state media keeps itself busy finding things to criticise about other countries, with America the number one target. Contentious elections - such as the recent US midterms - gain a lot of attention in the Chinese press and are not portrayed in a favourable light. There’s also plenty of coverage of America’s violent crimes, social problems and corruption scandals. In this podcast, Mark Hannah, a senior fellow at the Eurasia Group Foundation, discusses how Chinese media views the US and the implications for international relations. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

At the 20th Party Congress meeting held in Beijing, Xi Jinping reassured the faithful that he will remain at the helm of the vessel, even though he warned that high winds, choppy waters and even dangerous storms lie on the journey ahead. Such rhetoric is designed to evoke memories of brave emperors and mythical adventurers, for although Mr Xi describes himself as a twenty-first century Marxist, he likes to be connected with a legacy which stretches back centuries. In this podcast, Rana Mitter, professor of the History and Politics of Modern China at the University of Oxford, explains the historical background to current political trends. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

As the General Secretary of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping has capacity to take decisive action on many issues, especially as he has surrounded himself with loyalists on the Standing Committee of the Politburo. He has identified 'security' as one of the top priorities for his third term in power. In this podcast, Howard Zhang, Editor of the BBC's Chinese service, considers what that means for the Chinese economy, the lives of Chinese citizens and China's relations with other countries. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

The Chinese Communist Party believes that the nation is destined to lead the world, with Xi Jinping at the helm. Yet in Washington, there’s bipartisan consensus that China presents a serious threat to the stability of the global order. Other countries face a dilemma of picking a side between the great powers. In this podcast, renowned Sinologist Charles Parton explains the gap between China’s view of its role in the world and the way it is perceived by other countries. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

Xi Jinping receives more media attention than almost anyone else in the world, although he’s never done a sit-down interview, or taken questions at a regular press conference. The media were able to take a close look at him and other Chinese leaders during the recent Congress meeting of the Communist Party, held in Beijing. Howard Zhang, Editor of the BBC’s Chinese service, analyses how the press covered the event. The host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

There was a dramatic moment at the 20th Party Congress when former leader Hu Jintao was unexpectedly escorted off stage, after what appears to have been a power struggle with his successor, Xi Jinping. In this podcast, Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute explains why Hu Jintao’s departure could mark a decisive break with a collective approach to leadership, as Xi Jinping tightens his grip on power. The podcast host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.For information about the SOAS China Institute Corporate Membership scheme, please contact SCI director Steve Tsang: steve.tsang@soas.ac.uk________________________________________The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the speakers and are not necessarily those of the SOAS China Institute.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI)SCI BlogSCI on XSCI on LinkedInSCI on FacebookSCI on Instagram________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0