The Documentary Podcast China’s global spending spree
4 snips
Nov 18, 2025 
Join veteran journalist Jeff Stein, who unveiled alarming Chinese ownership of RightUSA, and economist Ku Yujin, author of The New China Playbook, as they dissect China's massive global investment strategy. They explore how state-backed loans enable acquisitions, the implications for U.S. security, and the challenges of monitoring these investments. The discussion touches on the balance between economic openness and national security, shedding light on the strategic importance of sectors like semiconductors amid rising geopolitical tensions.
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Secret Ownership Of A US Intelligence Insurer
- Jeff Stein uncovered that Chinese-linked Fosun bought RightUSA, an insurer for US intelligence personnel.
- The deal was legal but alarmed officials and later prompted an investigation and resale back to US hands.
China's Hidden Global Investment Scale
- AidData found Chinese state banks funded far more overseas spending than previously known, roughly doubling totals by including rich countries.
- Much of that hidden financing flowed into advanced economies, reshaping global investment patterns.
State Banks As A High-Limit Credit Card
- Chinese firms gained a major advantage from state-backed financing acting like a high-limit credit card.
- That financial support lets Chinese buyers make acquisitions abroad they couldn't afford otherwise.
