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China Plus
A place to unpack reactions to major events and hot issues in a casual setting.
Episodes
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Nov 7, 2025 • 55min
CIIE 2025: How China’s open market creates global trade opportunities
China's massive import fair is back, and it's bigger than ever. Over 4,100 companies from 155 countries and regions have set up shops at this year's China International Import Expo, where opportunity meets open markets. What's fueling the CIIE's magnetic pull? And how is China's open-door approach reshaping global trade? Host Xu Yawen is joined by Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Prof. Josef Gregory Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations at East China Normal University; and Prof. George Tzogopoulos, Director of EU-China Programs and Senior Research Fellow at the European Institute of Nice.

Oct 31, 2025 • 55min
The Nexperia shock: How the Netherlands' move could backfire on Europe
European carmakers are facing the risk of production stoppage as a result of the Dutch government's abrupt seizure of chip company Nexperia from its Chinese owner. What's behind the Nexperia drama? Has the Netherlands overplayed its hand? Who ultimately stands to lose the most? And what does it mean for Europe's industries?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Zhou Mi, the Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Andy Mok, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Dr. Eric Harwit, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Hawaiito for a close look.

Oct 24, 2025 • 55min
Toward a sustainable tomorrow: APEC 2025 preview
The annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is just days away. This year, all eyes are on Gyeongju, South Korea, where leaders will gather under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper." What's the mood heading into this year's APEC? Can innovation and AI really drive shared prosperity? And in an era of shifting alliances and rising protectionism, can APEC still connect a divided world?
Host TU Yun joins Mela Lesmoras, a TV reporter from PTV News, the Philippines, Ben Norton, the Editor of the Geopolitical Economy Report, from the United States, Warwick Powell, an Adjunct Professor of the Queensland University of Technology and active figure on X and Substack, and Dr. Sanjay Kumar, a journalist at The Korea Herald to unpack what's at stake.

Oct 3, 2025 • 55min
Can China lure more foreign capital to its housing market?
To buy or not to buy — that's the question. China is easing property restrictions and loosening cross-border financing rules to draw more foreign buyers. Is this a last resort to boost its sluggish housing market? How much appetite does foreign capital have for Chinese real estate? Which cities are likely to stand out for overseas investors? And what further reforms are needed to bring in capital without tipping the balance?
Host TU Yun joins Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow, Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China, Professor Kwan Ok Lee, Deputy Head, Department of Real Estate, National University of Singapore, and Chen Jiahe, Chief Investment Officer, Novem Arcae Technologies to break down the changes that may reshape China's property market.

Sep 26, 2025 • 55min
Where is U.S. business headed, and what does it mean for China?
Top U.S. business leaders are quietly fuming. They say Washington's policies hurt innovation, raise costs, and undermine competitiveness. But why won't they say so openly? What risks do they fear? Under what conditions could the White House reverse course?
Host TU Yun joins Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow, Center for China and Globalization, David Blair, Senior Economist, Alliance of Global Talent Organizations, and Alex Sili Zhou, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance, University of Macau to dig into the closed-door frustrations of American CEOs, explore the global ripple effects, and ask what it all means for U.S.–China business ties.

Sep 19, 2025 • 55min
China's chip probes: trade tactic or tech strategy?
The U.S.–China chip rivalry is heating up. Beijing has launched two new probes—one on analog chip dumping, the other on U.S. trade restrictions. What's behind China's move? And how could they reshape China's chip market, the trajectory of the chip conflict, or even the broader tech rivalry between the two countries?
Host TU Yun joins Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University, Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director, Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, and Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology for a close look.

Sep 12, 2025 • 55min
China to carry out asteroid defense system test
China is preparing for its first-ever planetary defense mission. It will send a spacecraft to crash into an asteroid and nudge it off course, becoming the second nation after the United States to do so. Why does this matter? What risks and opportunities does it bring? And beyond science, how could this mission reshape China’s growing space economy and global role?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Zhang Fan, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Beijing Normal University, Professor Quentin Parker, Director, Lab for Space Research, University of Hong Kong, and Xu Yansong, Director-General, Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization to break down the mission, the science, the stakes, and the money behind it.

Sep 5, 2025 • 55min
600,000 visas and one big question: Can the U.S. deliver?
Beijing has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to issue 600,000 Chinese student visas. But questions remain: Is the U.S. president's move a genuine shift, or just political maneuvering? Can the promises be trusted when Chinese students still face interrogations and deportations at U.S. airports?
Host TU Yun joins Jonathan Aronson, Professor of International Communication and International Relations, School of Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California, Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, and Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics, Peking University to explore the backlash, the stakes for American universities, and what it means for the future of education exchanges.

Aug 29, 2025 • 55min
How China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression Reshaped WWII Victory
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. As the primary battleground in the East during WWII, China’s immense sacrifice—over 30 million military and civilian casualties—played a crucial role in holding off the Japanese forces, giving the Allies the strategic advantage they needed to turn the tide in Europe and the Pacific.
In this episode of Chat Lounge, we take a step back and reflect on how these pivotal moments in history have shaped our present, the lessons we can draw from them, and how we can all play a part in building a more peaceful world moving forward. Joining Host Xu Yawen are Dou Hongyu, a CGTN Radio reporter; Wes Cabangon, an Operations Advisor and journalist at Business Mirror in the Philippines; and Garland Nixon, a Radio Talk Show Host and Political Analyst from the U.S.

Aug 22, 2025 • 55min
China's A-shares at a decade high: opportunities and challenges ahead
China's A-share stock market has hit a decade-high, crossing a historic 100 trillion yuan value. What's behind this surge? Does the rally have the makings of a durable bull run, or are we looking at the makings of another bubble? And what does it mean for global investors?
Host Tu Yun breaks it down with Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of the Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies, Professor Hans-Peter Burghof, the Chair of the Banking and Finance Department, University of Hohenheim in Germany, and Frank Liu, an Associate Professor of Finance of the Business School, University of Western Australia.


