Hudson Fellows Urge International Recognition of Taiwan, Economic Nationalism Strikes Again, and 120 Years of Deng Xiaoping's Legacy
Aug 27, 2024
auto_awesome
Miles Yu, a Senior Fellow specializing in Taiwan and international relations, joins political leader Nikki Haley, who recently urged the U.S. to enhance Taiwan's international status. They discuss the backlash against Olympic gold medalist Chuan Hong-chan over her iPhone purchase, highlighting pressures on young athletes in China. Additionally, Yu analyzes the rise of economic nationalism in China, linking it to public sentiment in conflicts, and reflects on the 120th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's legacy and its implications for Xi Jinping's leadership.
Nikki Haley's recent speech in Taiwan emphasizes the necessity of international recognition for Taiwan to counter China's growing influence.
The backlash faced by Olympic diver Chuan Hong-chan over her iPhone purchase highlights the rising tide of consumer nationalism in China.
Deep dives
Nikki Haley's Call for Taiwan's International Recognition
Nikki Haley recently delivered a significant speech in Taipei advocating for increased international support for Taiwan, particularly its representation in global forums like the United Nations. She emphasized the importance of acknowledging Taiwan's status to counter China's dominance and highlighted the need for Taiwan to be recognized as a sovereign entity. Haley's remarks echo a longstanding debate, previously voiced by senior American officials, calling for clear diplomatic recognition of Taiwan given its democratic governance and distinct identity. This push is seen as a moral obligation and a strategic necessity, aligning with broader U.S. interests in defending democratic values globally.
Economic Nationalism and the Backlash Against Olympic Diver
Chinese Olympic diver Chuan Hong-chan faced severe backlash on social media after purchasing an iPhone for her mother, illustrating the complexities of economic nationalism in China. Despite her success and status as a national hero, her actions triggered accusations of being unpatriotic, reflecting a rise in consumer nationalism fueled by competitive sentiments against foreign brands like Apple. Such reactions highlight a broader trend where the Chinese government permits, and at times encourages, expressions of nationalism that target foreign products during periods of international tension. This reaction draws on a historical context where similar public outbursts have been strategically guided by the state to reinforce domestic loyalty and promote national brands.
The Similarities Between Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping
The 120th anniversary of Deng Xiaoping's birth serves as a backdrop for examining the legacies of both Deng and Xi Jinping, revealing significant ideological overlaps. Despite Western perceptions of their differences, both leaders prioritize economic development as a means to maintain political stability, although Xi is increasingly positioned as a more assertive force against the West. Deng's legacy is often viewed through the lens of reform, yet both leaders share a commitment to strict political control while selectively opening the economy to global markets. The narrative implies that Xi, in his quest to elevate China's global stance, mirrors Deng's approach, though with an increasingly nationalistic and combative twist.
Senior Fellow, Miles Yu, reacts to our very own Hudson colleague, Nikki Haley, who delivered a speech in Taiwan last week urging the US to do more to elevate Taiwan on the international stage. But how? Next he details the dangerous trend of economic nationalism under the Chines Communist Party in light of an Olympic medalist buying an iPhone instead of a Chinese-made phone. Lastly, he addresses the 120th birthday of Deng Deng Xiaoping, and what his legacy means for Xi Jinping's leadership today.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode