China is pioneering the creation of a central bank digital currency that is likely to be the first of its kind. If China succeeds in implementing a digital renminbi, it could generate significant economic and political dividends for Beijing, at home and abroad.
China has established itself as the dominant global supplier of rare earths, a group of 17 minerals that are crucial to countless advanced technologies. China’s capacity to disrupt global rare earth supply chains has raised alarm bells in several major countries, but Beijing’s influence within the industry is likely to be eroded in the coming years.
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.
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.
In this episode, Dr. Alanna Krolikowski joins us to discuss China’s civilian and commercial space efforts in recent years. Dr. Krolikowski analyzes the achievements of China’s private space companies, such as the first Chinese private satellite launch, and the possible economic benefits that can be derived from space activities. She also examines the relationship between the government, state-owned enterprises, and private companies in China’s space industry, and how recent changes to government policy will impact China’s broader push into space.
The world economy is shaped not just by states, but also by an assortment of influential companies that act as critical elements of national economic power. In conjunction with China’s emergence as an economic superpower, Chinese companies have climbed the ranks to be among the largest in the world.
Global leaders in innovation produce the discoveries that shape the modern world. An economy’s capacity to innovate is dependent on a variety of factors, including its commitment to research and development, the quality of its workforce, and the effectiveness of government institutions.
In this episode, Dr. Scott Kennedy joins us to discuss the new-energy vehicle (NEV) industry in China and the challenges it faces domestically and from abroad. Dr. Kennedy presents the key findings from his recent report entitled “China’s Risky Drive into New-Energy Vehicles” and assesses the environmental impact of NEVs. He also discusses the capabilities and vulnerabilities of this emerging industry in China.
