China In Context

One of the loudest messages from the Chinese Communist Party is that it has delivered wealth to citizens by creating an environment in which the economy grows and thrives. However, as a result of the zero-Covid policy and other factors, the economy has hit the buffers. Gross domestic product rose just 0.4% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2022 missing expectations and suggesting a recession could be on the way in parts of China such as Hong Kong and Shanghai. In this podcast, Paul Hodges from New Normal Consulting considers China’s economic outlook 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

The Chinese Communist Party routinely encourages people to be patriotic and to love their country. Textbooks which are studied in all of China’s schools highlight achievements of which they should be proud - including, of course, the success of the Communist Party. The rise in nationalism is not exclusive to China. Yet contemporary Chinese nationalism cultivated by the CCP alarms its neighbours and other outsiders, partly because it often appears to demean foreigners. In this podcast, Professor John Fitzgerald from Melbourne discusses the complex nature of nationalism and patriotism in China 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

China is a land of contradictions. This shows up in a stark gap between rich and poor, which is evident through the contrast between conspicuous consumption in the big cities and the much more basic way of life in the countryside. In fact, even though it may not feel like it, the wealth gap is gradually narrowing. But is this down to government policy? And does the resentment caused by inequality present a potential threat to political stability? Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, offers his analysis of the situation, in conversation with podcast 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

Much of the hard work in running China falls to about 40 million party and government officials, known as cadres. These include powerful figures, such as provincial governors, bosses of state-owned enterprises and chief prosecutors. Originally, cadres were defined as professional revolutionaries, dedicated to the goals of the Communist Party. They still need to be loyal Communists but most of them spend more time on paperwork than insurrection. In this podcast, Professor John Fitzgerald, author of Cadre Country (2022), reveals the sophisticated political processes employed by the Chinese Communist Party. The presenter 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 international media uses strong words to describe China’s system of governance. American newspapers often inform their readers that China’s regime is “authoritarian” or “totalitarian”, or both. Yet supporters of the Communist Party say that China has developed a political system which perfectly suits its culture and that "socialism with Chinese characteristics” is a form of democracy, superior to that of the 'decadent west'. So what is the best terminology to properly describe the politics of contemporary China? Frank Tsai from China Crossroads in Shanghai discusses this issue with podcast 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

The danger of war in the Taiwan Strait is growing. This island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which favours Taiwan’s de jure independence, is becoming increasingly friendly with the United States. President Biden has said America will fight to defend Taiwan if it is attacked. The threat from China is clear whenever its aircraft fly into Taiwanese airspace. Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute offers his analysis of the situation, in conversation with podcast 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

British foreign policy, including towards China, is being forged under fraught circumstances. The Conservative government is losing favour not just with the press and the public but has also experienced battles among its own members. Politicians are sometimes referred to as hawks or doves on China, yet how suitable are such labels? And how much do Britain’s elected representatives really understand China? Sam Hogg founder of Beijing to Britain discusses politics with Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.   China In Context: Episode 70 Broadcast date: 21 June, 2022For 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

China does not play fair when it comes to the intellectual property of American companies, according to the Biden administration. It is not a new allegation. The US has been complaining about having ideas stolen by China and the issue helped prompt a 'trade war' when Donald Trump was president. Last year, China amended its laws on patents and copyright. How far do these changes go in satisfying America’s concerns? In this podcast, Benjamin A Jacobs, the Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce China Centre, explains how businesses see the problem and talks through the response among policy makers in Washington. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs.   China In Context: Episode 69 Broadcast date: 14 June, 2022For 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

A decade into the leadership of Xi Jinping, China appears to have even greater potential to transform global affairs than at any stage since it began to open up to the outside world, about thirty years ago. We often hear it said that China is ambitious and assertive on the foreign policy front.Yet how well do we really understand the objectives of Xi Jinping’s foreign policy? Beyond the wolf warrior rhetoric and promises of win-win partnerships, what does China ultimately want in the world? Podcast host Duncan Bartlett puts these questions to Dr Bates Gill, Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies at Macquarie University in Sydney and the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence with the Asia Society, Australia.   China In Context: Episode 68 Broadcast date: 7th June, 2022For 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 global order changes, Germany is recasting its relations with China. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel visited China 12 times and forged a close relationship with Xi Jinping. However, under the current German leader Olaf Scholz, there’s a widening diplomatic gulf between the nations, with a growing wave of criticism of China’s human rights record. Both China and Germany face dramatic slowdowns in their economies. So how much do they need each other as trading partners? In this podcast Bonnie S Glaser, Director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, guides podcast host Duncan Bartlett through a complex international relationship.   China In Context: Episode 67 Broadcast date: 31 May, 2022For 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