Face-Off: The U.S. vs China

Yun Sun, senior fellow and director of the China program at the Stimson Center, analyzes China–Iran ties. She discusses Beijing’s muted public stance and careful diplomacy. She outlines oil flows, trans-shipment practices, and how China balances arms, dual-use tech, and sanctions. She explores what limits Beijing’s support and the conditions that might prompt deeper backing.

Barbara Demick, award-winning journalist and author who reported from Beijing, tells the story of twins torn apart by China’s one-child policy. She traces a Hunan family's search, the local enforcement that led to a toddler’s removal, and the surprising path that led one sister to Texas and a mediated reunion years later. The conversation focuses on enforcement, adoption pathways, and the sisters’ first meeting.

We’re back! We’ll be publishing five brand new episodes of Face-Off bi-weekly starting today. In this episode, we welcome back Zhou Bo, a retired colonel in the People’s Liberation Army.  Xi Jinping has unleashed a massive purge of the Chinese army, the biggest since the early days of Communist China. Nearly three dozen senior generals have been demoted or disappeared. Almost all have been accused of corruption. Then this past January the most senior general, General Zhang Youxia, essentially Xi Jinping's number two in the army, disappeared.  No-one outside of China, and not many inside China, seem to know what’s going on. There's a reason the Chinese military is known as a black box.  With Colonel Zhou, Jane discusses everything from Greenland to Taiwan to China’s military strength in the South China Sea.  Guest: Zhou Bo, Retired Senior Colonel in the People’s Liberation Army Book Recommendations: Should The World Fear China by Zhou Bo China’s Quest for Military Supremacy by Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders Face-Off: The U.S. vs. China is produced in partnership with ⁠Rowhome Productions⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tripp Mickle, a New York Times technology reporter, offers insights into Jensen Huang's pivotal role in the AI landscape and NVIDIA's strategy amid U.S.-China tensions. He discusses the political dynamics around chip policies, including Trump's reversal allowing chip sales to China, and how Huang's initiatives bolster U.S. interests. Rana Mitter, Harvard Kennedy School professor, highlights the geopolitical ramifications of Taiwan's chip production and China's ambitions in AI, stressing the balance business leaders must maintain amidst rising tensions.

Da Wei, a Professor at Tsinghua University and a leading expert on Chinese foreign policy, shares insights on why China struggles with soft power despite U.S. setbacks. He argues that cultural differences hinder China's ability to attract global audiences. Rana Mitter, a historian specializing in U.S.-Asia relations, adds that China's tech innovations may represent a new form of influence. Together, they explore how cultural confidence and censorship limit China's appeal and discuss the implications of a tech-driven approach to global influence.

Marites Vitug, an influential Filipino journalist and author, shares her expertise on the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, highlighting dangerous encounters between Chinese warships and Filipino fishing boats. She discusses the implications of China's actions on Philippine sovereignty and maritime rights. Historian Rana Mitter offers insights into China's strategic motives in targeting the Philippines, emphasizing the potential risks of conflict. Together, they explore U.S.-Philippine military ties and the broader geopolitical landscape.

In this engaging discussion, Oliver Nobetau, a Papua New Guinea government lawyer and Lowy Institute fellow, sheds light on a unique rugby deal that links sports diplomacy to national security. He explains how a $600 million rugby franchise for PNG guarantees no Chinese military presence. Meanwhile, Rana Mitter, a Harvard professor, provides historical context on China's ambitions in the Pacific. The conversation dives into the strategic value of Papua New Guinea, the implications of newfound defense agreements, and sports as a tool for geopolitical leverage.

Alberto Moel, a robotics scientist at the University of Hong Kong, and Rana Mitter, a historian of modern China at Harvard, discuss the rapid advancements in China's robotics sector. Moel reveals how robots are transforming factories, predicting iPhones could soon be assembled by robots. He raises concerns about the implications for U.S. manufacturing. Mitter adds a socio-economic perspective, highlighting the job displacement automation brings in both China and the U.S. Together, they navigate the complex landscape of technology and geopolitics.

Jake Sullivan, former U.S. National Security Advisor and Harvard professor, shares insights from his extensive dealings with Xi Jinping, revealing the contrast between Xi's public bravado and private diplomacy. He discusses China's strategic ambitions to surpass the U.S. and the implications of technological advances, including AI. Joining him is Rana Mitter, who offers historical context on China's military purges and the complexities of U.S.-China relations. Together, they explore the risks of China's rise and the resilience of both nations.

Zhou Bo, a retired senior colonel in the People's Liberation Army and military affairs commentator, joins historian Rana Mitter for an engaging discussion on China's military evolution. They explore China's accelerated naval expansion and advancements in hypersonic missiles, revealing Xi Jinping's purges aimed at a loyal military. Topics include the implications of China's no-first-use policy, Taiwan's status, and the lessons learned from Russia's actions in Ukraine. The conversation emphasizes the need for US-China military dialogue amid growing tensions.