Pekingology

Neil Thomas, a scholar of Chinese elite politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute, breaks down the Two Sessions. He discusses elite purges and military shakeups. He explains the new 15th Five-Year Plan and its tech and AI priorities. He unpacks leadership rotations, Li Qiang’s rising role, and what signals mean for China’s political trajectory.

Zoe Liu, Fellow in China Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and author on China’s economic statecraft. She outlines China’s strategic use of trade, tech restrictions, and financial tools. Short, medium, and long goals are sketched. A Four Cs framework—capacity, capital, character, credibility—frames how Beijing builds leverage and seeks strategic autonomy.

Charlie Edel, Senior Adviser and Australia Chair at CSIS, is an Australia-China specialist. He discusses Beijing’s use of economic coercion and inducements toward Australia. He explores Australia’s strategic role in China’s Indo-Pacific thinking. He covers trade leverage, de-risking and critical minerals, and why distant maritime moves in the South China Sea and Taiwan matter to Australian security.

Francisco Urdinez, Associate Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and author on China-Latin America ties, breaks down Beijing’s bilateral strategy and why countries bargain differently. He explores China copying early U.S. corporate playbooks, growing regional backlash, concerns over space and security projects, and how Venezuela reshaped Chinese lending approaches.

Sabine Mokry, a Postdoctoral researcher from the University of Hamburg, dives deep into the role of expertise in shaping Chinese foreign policy. She reveals how think tanks influence policy, often translating abstract government slogans into actionable proposals. Sabine discusses the evolution of China’s international engagement, including its recent self-identification as a 'near-Arctic state.' She also highlights the significance of institutional connections to the Party in determining a think tank's impact, making for a fascinating exploration of political dynamics.

Paul Mariani, a Jesuit priest and professor at Santa Clara University, dives into the complexities of Catholicism in post-Mao China. He explores the Communist Party's cautious approach to religion and the significance of Document 19 in shaping policy. Mariani discusses the delicate balance between state-approved Patriotic Associations and underground churches, highlighting Bishop Louis Jin's pivotal role in navigating these tensions. He also evaluates the Vatican's controversial 2018 agreement with Beijing and its impacts on Chinese Catholics.

Minxin Pei, a Professor at Claremont McKenna College and expert on Chinese elite politics, discusses his book, "The Broken China Dream." He shares his intellectual shift from optimism to skepticism regarding China’s reforms. Pei delves into the dual-track economy sparked by agricultural decollectivization and reflects on the critical impacts of the Tiananmen Square protests on China’s political landscape. He contrasts Xi Jinping's regime with previous leaders, likening him to Stalin due to his purges and authoritarian tendencies while exploring the future of China's elite choices.

Philip O’Keefe, a demographer and professor at UNSW, dives into China's demographic challenges. He discusses the implications of a rapidly aging population and the impact of low fertility rates on the economy and innovation. O’Keefe highlights regional variations in birth rates and how changing family structures affect elder support. He examines the potential of technology in elder care and the limitations of current pro-natalist policies. O’Keefe also connects these demographic shifts to China's global economic role and future growth prospects.

Cobus van Staden, Managing Editor of the China Global South Project, shares his expertise on China–Africa relations. He discusses China's strategy to enhance its global influence, focusing on recent FOCAC outcomes and commitments to industrialization and green energy. Cobus highlights the increasing agency of African nations in shaping the agenda, while also examining the mixed results of the Belt and Road Initiative. He delves into the implications of China's slowing economy and its strategic partnership with South Africa, showcasing the complexities of these international dynamics.

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.