Pekingology

China Across CSIS: PRC Leadership Decisionmaking with Mr. Jon Czin

May 15, 2025

Jon Czin, the Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy Studies at Brookings and former CIA analyst, delves into the intricate decision-making within the People's Republic of China. He discusses Xi Jinping’s rise to power, the influence of personal experiences on leadership, and the complex relationship between China’s domestic politics and its foreign policy strategy, particularly regarding the U.S. Czin highlights the ongoing struggle against corruption and emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of Chinese political dynamics.

47:17

Episode guests

Jon Czin

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The intricate link between Xi Jinping's domestic challenges, such as corruption and party discipline, significantly shapes his assertive foreign policy approach.

Current understanding of Chinese politics has narrowed, focusing too much on Xi Jinping and missing vital complexities within the political landscape.

Deep dives

Domestic Politics and Leadership Decision-Making

The podcast emphasizes the intricate relationship between domestic politics and leadership decision-making in China, particularly under Xi Jinping. It discusses how Xi's leadership approach and the challenges he faces domestically influence his foreign policy decisions. Domestic issues, such as corruption and internal party discipline, occupy a significant portion of his time, reflecting his genuine commitment to the Communist Party. This commitment stems from Xi's experiences and the belief that the party's stability is paramount for China's progress in both domestic and global arenas.

Intro

3min

Decoding Chinese Leadership Dynamics

21min

Influences on Leadership Decision-Making in the CCP

3min

Navigating Leadership Dynamics and Foreign Policy in China

4min

Xi Jinping's Struggle Against Corruption

5min

China's Domestic Dynamics and Foreign Strategy

11min

In this special episode from the ChinaPower podcast, Mr. Jon Czin joins host Bonny Lin to discuss domestic dynamics and leadership decisionmaking within the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC), including what is currently missing in the conversation within the United States on Chinese politics.

Mr. Jonathan A. Czin is the Michael H. Armacost Chair in Foreign Policy Studies at Brookings Institution and a fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center. He is a former member of the Senior Analytic Service at CIA, where he was one of the intelligence community’s top China experts. From 2021 till 2023, he was director for China at the National Security Council, where he advised on, staffed, and coordinated White House and inter-agency diplomacy with the People’s Republic of China, including all of President Biden’s interactions with President Xi, and played a leading role in addressing a wide range of global China issues. He also served as advisor for Asia-Pacific security affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and overseas at a CIA field station in Southeast Asia.

Original interview published on October 31, 2024.