The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series Slavery Can't Fix China's Demography || Peter Zeihan
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Nov 4, 2025 The discussion dives into China’s demographic crisis and the provocative idea of importing a slave workforce, reminiscent of the UAE model. It highlights the existing coercive labor practices, particularly concerning minorities. However, significant scale limitations are noted, as China struggles to find the necessary workforce supply. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for innovative economic models as the country faces aging and depopulation challenges. It wraps up with a call to action for exploring new solutions in a changing world.
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Imported-Worker Model Won't Scale For China
- China already uses internal coercive labor practices against minorities, which hasn't meaningfully offset demographic decline.
- Scaling an Emirati-style imported workforce for China is logistically and politically unfeasible.
Uyghur Repression Tied To Supply Chains
- Peter Zeihan describes Uyghurs and others being subjected to surveillance, re-education camps, and forced labor in parts of China.
- He links those practices to supply chains, noting Zhejiang's solar manufacturing relies on that labor system.
Neighboring Regions Can't Supply Mass Migration
- Geographic neighbors can't easily supply the tens of millions of workers China would need for mass immigration.
- Russia's Far East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and India present serious population, terrain, and political barriers.