China's Demographic Dilemma

In this episode of Pekingology, host Henrietta Levin interviews Dr. Pip O'Keefe, an expert on Chinese demographic trends, about the country's aging and shrinking population and its societal impacts. O'Keefe details key demographic shifts, including rapid aging, declining fertility rates, shrinking labor force, and minimal immigration. The discussion covers regional variations in these trends, impacts on family structures and filial piety, and the increasing role of the state in social support. They explore the relationship between demographic and economic trends, including the potential for slower economic growth and fiscal pressures on pension and healthcare systems. The conversation further examines the party's pro-natalist policies, the potential of technology to address demographic challenges, and the implications of these trends for China's foreign policy and global ambitions.