Plain English with Derek Thompson

Is This the Chinese Century?

Apr 29, 2025

Kurt Campbell, Chairman of The Asia Group, and Rush Doshi, Director of the China Strategy Initiative at CFR, dive into the implications of China's rise as a global superpower. They discuss China's dominance in technology, naval capabilities, and industrial strength, painting a picture of a new geopolitical landscape. The duo also highlights the urgency for the U.S. to reassess its strategies amidst China's rapid advancements, exploring the potential for a Chinese century versus American resurgence. Their insights reveal a complex interplay of competition, cooperation, and innovation.

01:10:45

Episode guests

Rush Doshi

Kurt M. Campbell

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

China's rapid advancements in technology and military capabilities pose significant challenges for U.S. global leadership and security.

The failure of economic engagement to foster cooperation marks a critical shift in U.S.-China relations, heightening tensions between the two nations.

A united front among U.S. allies, coupled with strategic industrial policy, is essential for countering China's growing global influence and ambitions.

Deep dives

The Rise of China and Global Competition

China's emergence as a major global power raises significant questions about the balance of power in the 21st century. The nation is strategically positioning itself to surpass the U.S. in various facets, including technological advancements and military strength. With vast investments in electric vehicles, advanced nuclear technology, and military modernization, China is transforming from merely a manufacturing hub to a leader in innovation. This shift prompts concerns among U.S. policymakers about maintaining technological and economic leadership as China's capabilities continue to grow.

Intro

2min

The Rise of China: A Geopolitical Shift

4min

Navigating U.S.-China Relations in the 2020s

25min

Defining a Rich Life Through Experience and Emotion

2min

Understanding China's Industrial Dominance and the Importance of Scale

5min

Tech Rivalry: U.S. vs. China

14min

China's Economic Challenges and Global Competition

17min

In the last few weeks, for the first time in my life, I’ve seriously thought about the 21st century not being another American century.

A recent essay in the journal Foreign Affairs by Rush Doshi and Kurt Campbell put things as starkly as I’ve ever seen. Some people are still stuck in a mode of thinking about China as being a place that just makes things of little value and significance. But Made in China means something different now. Technologically, China dominates everything from electric vehicles to fourth-generation nuclear reactors. Militarily, it features the world’s largest navy. Its shipbuilding capacity is 200 times as large as America’s. In a world built of cement and steel, China makes 20 times more cement and 13 times more steel than the U.S. In a world whose future will be full of electric vehicles, batteries, drones, and solar power, China makes two-thirds of the world’s EVs, three-quarters of its electric batteries, 80 percent of consumer drones, and 90 percent of solar panels. In a world where wars are won by the largest militaries, consider that China’s navy will be 50 percent larger than the U.S. Navy by the end of the decade.

Today's guests are Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi. Both men served on the Biden National Security Council. Campbell is the chairman and cofounder of The Asia Group. Doshi is director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations and an assistant professor at Georgetown University.

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com.

Host: Derek Thompson

Guest: Kurt Campbell and Rush Doshi

Producer: Devon Baroldi

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Plain English with Derek Thompson

Is This the Chinese Century?

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Rise of China and Global Competition

The Stakes for the U.S. and the Importance of Action

Challenges in U.S.-China Relations

The Need for a Unified U.S. Strategy

Forecasting the Future: American Resilience and Potential

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts