In this episode, Dr. Alice Ekman joins us to discuss China’s smart cities and their impact on technological innovation and infrastructure development. Dr. Ekman explains Beijing’s motives behind its support for smart cities, illustrating the potential economic and political domestic benefits while illuminating the international reach of China’s surveillance model. Finally, she explains the potential risks posed by China’s smart city plans, and how the US and other countries should adapt and react to China’s efforts.
ChinaPower PODCAST
The ChinaPower Podcast dissects critical issues underpinning China’s emergence as a global power. By bringing together the leading experts on China and international politics, the series offers our listeners critical insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by China’s rise. These extended discussions are hosted by Bonnie S. Glaser, senior adviser for Asia and the director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Ms. Glaser is concomitantly a non-resident fellow with the Lowy Institute in Sydney and a senior associate with Pacific Forum.
Bonnie S. Glaser
Strategic Shift Underway in UK Relations with China: A Conversation with Charles Parton
In this episode, Charles Parton joins us to discuss China’s evolving relationship with the United Kingdom following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Mr. Parton examines how the UK’s strategic thought toward China has changed over the past decade, and describes how London has only recently awoken to the potential threat China poses to its interests. He also offers insights into what an effective UK approach toward China could look like going forward and outlines steps the UK could take to develop a China strategy that safeguards the UK’s national interests.
China’s Standard-Setting Agenda: A Conversation with Emily de La Bruyère
In this episode, Emily de La Bruyère joins us to discuss China’s push to set international technical standards for the next generation of emerging technologies. Ms. de La Bruyère explains Beijing’s motives behind its China Standards 2035 plan, as well as the major industries and technologies that stand to be most affected by it. She also discusses how the plan relates to other policies and initiatives like Made in China 2025 and Military-Civil Fusion. Finally, she explains the potential risks posed by China’s standard-setting agenda, and how the US and other countries should respond to China’s push to dominate standard-setting in emerging high technologies.
China Courts Closer Ties with Nepal: A Conversation with Gaurab Shumsher Thapa
In this episode, Gaurab Shumsher Thapa joins us to discuss the trajectory of China-Nepal relations and China’s geostrategic interests in Nepal. Mr. Thapa explains the history of China-Nepal relations and analyzes China’s motives in increasing engagement with Nepal in recent years. He also discusses Nepal’s foreign policy of non-alignment and how this serves Nepal’s interests as geopolitical tensions heat up throughout the region.
Mounting Tensions Between China and Sweden: A Conversation with The Honorable Carl Bildt
In this episode, The Honorable Carl Bildt joins us to discuss the deterioration of China-Sweden relations in recent years, as well as changing attitudes in Sweden toward China. Mr. Bildt explains the extent to which Sweden is economically dependent on China, and how it has worked to counter Chinese pressure and interference. He also discusses ongoing diplomatic disputes in the China-Sweden relationship, including the arrest and sentencing of Gui Minhai, and the potential impact on Sweden if the bilateral relationship continues its downward spiral moving forward.
Unveiling China’s Digital Currency Goals: A Conversation with Kevin Desouza
In this episode, Dr. Kevin Desouza joins us to discuss China’s plans to create a national digital currency. Dr. Desouza explains Beijing’s underlying motivations for developing its own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and how it aligns with China’s broader goal to become a leader in technology and innovation. He highlights the key benefits of using digital currencies and the possible effects on the Chinese economy, as well as discusses the potential impact of COVID-19 on the roll-out of a CBDC in China.
Xi Jinping’s Military-Civil Fusion Project: A Conversation with Greg Levesque
In this episode, Greg Levesque joins us to discuss China’s Military-Civil Fusion (MCF) program. Mr. Levesque explains the central role of MCF in the Chinese Communist Party’s strategy to make China a world-class military power by 2049, and details the steps Beijing has taken thus far in integrating the military and civil sectors. He also highlights some of the challenges that China faces in its efforts to implement MCF. Finally, Mr. Levesque describes how MCF may pose a threat to US interests and offers recommendations for how the US and its allies can effectively respond.
Examining China’s Influence in the World Health Organization: A Conversation with Jeremy Youde
In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Youde joins us to discuss China’s evolving role in the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Youde outlines how China’s contributions to the WHO have changed over time, and highlights its main sources of influence in the organization. He also explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed some of the challenges that the WHO and the international community face when working with China. Finally, he explores the risk that Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO poses to global health, and offers insights on Taiwan’s prospects for achieving a greater role in the organization following COVID-19.