China Insider

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews Xi Jinping’s fourth visit to the Xiong’an New Area development project and details his plans for the “city of the future” including its domestic reception. Next, Miles explores the impact of US military operations in the Middle East on cross-strait relations, and addresses concerns over how a potential prolonged engagement will influence the US commitment to Taiwan. Finally, Miles covers the extensive espionage, technology transfer, and national security threat against US universities and colleges, and how the CCP’s coercive apparatus has evolved over the past several years. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future. 

A look at recent large-scale purges of China’s weapons scientists and how removals ripple through military programs. Discussion of CCP influence tactics that enlist Western intellectual proxies and the incentives that enable them. Analysis of South Korea’s president juggling strong domestic unions while trying to maintain alliance commitments and manage North Korea policy.

Discussion of China’s long-term ties and intelligence cooperation with Cuba. Analysis of why Cuba matters strategically for Beijing. Examination of China’s exposure to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and limited response options. Preview of high-level Paris talks as a setup for possible trade negotiations between the two powers.

A rundown of China’s Two Sessions, highlighting economic messaging, the new five-year plan, and personnel shifts. A look at Chinese weapons exports to Iran and why some air-defense systems underperformed. An analysis of Beijing’s diplomatic and propaganda response to recent US-Israeli strikes and the limits of China’s hard-power options.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu analyzes the wider impact of Operation Epic Fury in the context of US-China relations, and how the joint operation changes China’s calculated approach to extending their influence in the Middle East. Second, Miles covers the Trump Administration’s efforts to counter PRC influence via multilateral forums and hemispheric diplomacy in the upcoming Shields of the Americas summit. Finally, Miles weighs in on the “regime change” debate, and the role of such operations within the US national security strategy and key strategic deterrence initiatives as well. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the 2026 winter Olympic games in the context of the ongoing US-China diplomatic rivalry and larger geopolitical implications of the games. Next, Miles unpacks the recent US Supreme Court ruling on US trade tariff policy, and how this might shift the landscape in bilateral trade negotiations between the US and China. Finally, we observe the Chinese lunar new year and Miles reviews what challenges lie ahead for the CCP regime in the year of the horse. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future. 

Discussion of a recent Xi-Putin video call and what Beijing aims to gain from closer ties with Moscow. Examination of China’s clean energy push, EV exports, and the geopolitical motives behind green-technology growth. Exploration of mounting domestic economic pain, rising youth unemployment, and doubts about official growth and data reporting.

PLA naval and air patrols ramp up around Scarborough Shoal, signaling shifts in Beijing's maritime moves in the Indo-Pacific. A sweeping crackdown in Chinese football results in 73 lifetime bans, exposing deep corruption across the sport. China executes members of a Myanmar-based scam network, highlighting cross-border crime, judicial responses, and tense ties with Myanmar.

High-level removals shake up China’s military leadership and what that means for morale and modernization. A new international Board of Peace and its efforts to counter China’s global influence are explored. China’s collapsing birthrate and the political and economic forces behind the demographic crisis are examined.

Discover China's ambitious Arctic strategy, aiming for major influence despite being a non-Arctic state. Learn about the strategic importance of Greenland for U.S. security and China’s partnership with Russia in accessing the Arctic. Unpack the recent U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, emphasizing its significance in the semiconductor and AI sectors and political ramifications within Taiwan. Finally, delve into Prime Minister Carney's visit to Beijing and its implications for Canada-China relations, including trade adjustments.