Gadi Epstein, China affairs editor at The Economist, dives into the turbulent waters of U.S.-China relations under the Biden administration. He contrasts the current tensions with the hopeful days of ping-pong diplomacy in the 1970s. The discussion highlights the stagnation in how economics is taught, calling for fresh approaches to engage students. Additionally, Epstein touches on a unique musical revival from British-Pakistani teens, bringing a nostalgic yet modern blend of cultures back into the spotlight.
The Biden administration’s early moves suggest no “reset” in relations; we recall a time when the game of ping-pong brought the countries back to the table. Although economics has transformed in the past quarter-century, the way it is taught has not; we examine efforts to rewrite the textbooks. And a forgotten album by British-Pakistani teenagers gets another lease of life. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffe