Maria Repnikova and Eric Olander discuss China's soft power in Africa and Sino-Russian relations. Topics include China's neutrality in conflicts, grievance-based politics, admission process of consensus-based organizations, China's media strategies, and podcast and book recommendations.

Eric Olander, an expert in China's relations with the developing world and host of influential podcasts, shares his insights on China's diplomatic maneuvers across various regions. The discussion highlights tensions in the South China Sea involving the Philippines and the U.S. It also covers China's growing influence in Africa and Latin America, emphasizing the challenges the U.S. faces in offering competitive policies. Eric underscores the vital need for diverse perspectives on China’s impact in the Global South, moving beyond mainstream narratives.