China's Generals, Purges and Power Plays

In this episode of China Considered, Liz Economy interviews Dr. Bonny Lin, a China expert, about China's security ambitions, its intentions towards Taiwan, and the ongoing anti-corruption campaign within the Chinese military. Dr. Lin suggests China aims to be on par with or surpass the U.S. globally, highlighting inflection points such as island building in the South China Sea and military reorganizations. The discussion covers China's military capabilities relative to the U.S., the debate over overseas military bases, and the potential implications of the purges within the PLA. The conversation shifts to Taiwan, exploring Xi Jinping's objectives and potential actions, especially if a DPP leader is elected in 2028. Finally, they address China's alignment with Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and the lessons learned from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, before concluding with quick questions about recommended readings, key unknowns, policy advice for President Trump, and the likelihood of a breakthrough in U.S.-China relations.