A weekly discussion of current affairs in China with journalists, writers, academics, policymakers, business people and anyone with something compelling to say about the country that's reshaping the world. Hosted by Kaiser Kuo.
The Sinica Podcast features Kaiser Kuo interviewing Adam Tooze, an economic historian at Columbia University, about China's economic and political landscape. Tooze shares insights from his recent trip to China, including observations from the China Development Forum, and his forthcoming book on the energy transition. T...
China's growing interest in Greco-Roman classics is examined, questioning whether it's purely state-driven or reflects genuine intellectual curiosity. The conversation explores the state's increasing involvement, marked by funding and active participation in shaping discourse, and considers whether this aims to decoupl...
The podcast explores the escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, questioning whether the two nations are drifting towards an unintended conflict. It features David M. Lampton, a distinguished scholar of U.S.-China relations, who discusses a co-authored essay warning about the self-reinforcing strategic rivalry....
The podcast explores the complexities of digital governance in China, focusing on the dynamic interplay between the state, platform companies, and internet users. It challenges the notion of a simple top-down, command-and-control model, arguing instead for a more nuanced understanding shaped by bargaining, incentives, ...
The podcast explores the evolution of the Chinese internet through the lens of "wall dancers"—individuals who navigate state constraints with creativity and pragmatism. Yi-Ling Liu, author of "The Wall Dancers: Searching for Freedom and Connection on the Chinese Internet," discusses how these figures, from a closeted c...
The podcast explores the evolving dynamics of technology exchange between the U.S. and China, arguing that a significant reversal is underway. Kyle Chan, a fellow at Brookings, posits that China is now at the forefront of innovation in several sectors, including EVs and batteries, challenging the traditional view of We...
The podcast explores the Trump administration's China strategy, assessing its objectives—reindustrialization, AI leadership, supply chain de-risking, and restoring global standing—against tangible results. It questions whether tariffs, the administration's primary tool, genuinely support reindustrialization, noting man...
The U.S.-China relationship under Trump's second presidency is analyzed, focusing on whether the current "uneasy calm" will last or revert to acrimony. Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings, discusses three plausible pathways: a soft landing, a hard split, and an uneasy calm. Hass sugges...
The podcast explores the "Morning Star of Lingao," a Chinese science fiction project, and the worldview of the Industrial Party. It examines interpretations of history, national identity, and power dynamics within China. Afra Wang, a writer and host of the Cyberpink podcast, shares her insights on the cultural signific...
The Gaokao, China's college entrance exam, is examined beyond its difficulty, revealing its role as a comprehensive selection and elite allocation mechanism deeply embedded in Chinese society. The discussion highlights how the Gaokao shapes educational experiences from primary school, influences job opportunities, and ...
The podcast explores Cold War liberalism's influence on American foreign policy and its relevance to the U.S.-China relationship. Historian Daniel Bessner discusses how Cold War liberals shaped American power structures and ideology, fostering a belief in U.S. global dominance. Bessner argues that the U.S. proactively ...
The podcast examines China's perspective on the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, exploring whether Beijing views it as a direct threat or a broader geopolitical move. It highlights that China emphasizes sovereignty and international law in its official response, yet refrains from framing the operation...
In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Kaiser Kuo interviews Van Jackson and Michael Brenes, the authors of "The Rivalry Peril," about their book's argument that framing the U.S.-China relationship as a geopolitical rivalry harms American democracy and its people. They discuss how this rivalry redirects public investme...
In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Kaiser Kuo interviews Paul Triolo about the implications of the U.S. policy shift on exporting advanced AI chips to China, specifically focusing on Nvidia's H200s. They discuss the evolution of U.S. chip controls, the motivations behind Trump's decision to approve the sales, and t...
In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Kaiser Kuo interviews Mark Sidel, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Senior Fellow at the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, about the regulatory environment for overseas NGOs, foundations, and nonprofits in China. They discuss the history and evoluti...
In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, guest host Iza Ding interviews Dr. Deborah Seligsohn about climate change, China's role in global climate politics, and environmental governance. The discussion spans from impressions of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to China's approach to climate negotiations and technology leadership,...
In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Kaiser Kuo interviews Zhong Na, a novelist and essayist, about her piece "The Silicon Valley Murder" in Equator magazine. The discussion revolves around the tragic murder-suicide of a Chinese couple, both Google engineers and Tsinghua graduates, and the broader implications of the...
In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Kaiser Kuo welcomes Jeremy Goldkorn back to discuss the shift in American attitudes towards China. They explore factors contributing to this change, including the political climate in the U.S., Trump's foreign policy inclinations, and the waning enthusiasm for conflict over Taiwan...
In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Kaiser Kuo interviews Lizzi Lee, a fellow on the Chinese economy, about the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th Party Congress and the US-China trade relations. They discuss the communique's emphasis on domestic demand and household consumption, China's approach to increasing househol...
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