Last year China's population fell for the first time in 60 years with the national birth rate hitting a record low. China's birth rate has in fact been declining for years but an older population will pose a real challenge for China economically, politically and strategically. So, what will the consequences be for China and the rest of the world if this vast economy - the second largest in the world – of a waning workforce and an ageing population? The ruling Communist Party is introducing a range of policies to try to encourage couples to have more babies. But it was only seven years ago that the Chinese government scrapped the controversial one-child policy, replacing it with the two-child policy in 2016 and the three-child policy in 2021. The government is also offering tax breaks and better maternal healthcare, among other incentives, in an effort to reverse, or at least slow, the falling birth rate. Nothing so far has worked. So how concerning is population decline for China and the rest of the world? How much of an issue is gender inequality and the cost of raising a child? What will an older, frailer population do to the Chinese economy? And, as climate change intensifies, is population decline really a problem? Chris Morris is joined by: Yun Zhou - a social demographer, family sociologist and an assistant professor at the University of Michigan. Isabel Hilton – a journalist and founder of the bilingual website China Dialogue - an organisation dedicated to promoting a common understanding of China’s environmental challenges. Yasheng Huang - professor of global economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of the forthcoming book on China, The Rise and the Fall of the EAST. Also featuring: Victor Gao - Vice President of the Beijing-based Centre for China and Globalisation, a think tank with links to the Chinese Communist Party.Producer: Pandita Lorenz and Ellen Otzen(Photo: China's Sichuan province shifts birth control policies, Shanghai, 31 Jan 2023. Credit: Alex Plavevski/EPA-EFE/Rex/Shutterstock)

Tom Miller, a senior analyst at Gavekal Research, Isabel Hilton, a veteran international reporter and founder of China Dialogue, and Austin Williams, an architect and academic, dive into China's current challenges. They discuss the economic slowdown, youth unemployment, and perceptions of decline. The panel explores urbanization, advancements in technology, and the Belt and Road Initiative's evolution. They also touch on issues of national identity, surveillance, and the balance of optimism amid political changes, providing a nuanced view of China's future.

Isabel Hilton, founder of China Dialogue, discusses China’s strategic ties with Africa amid growing influence on the continent. Rainbow Murray, a political expert, analyzes the rise of Austria’s Freedom Party and the challenges for centrist parties in Europe. Gabriel Gavin sheds light on the humanitarian crisis in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, urging international awareness. They also reflect on the 10-year anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack, exploring evolving attitudes toward satire and the complexities of free speech today.

Isabel Hilton, founder of China Dialogue and a prominent voice in environmental discourse, joins Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, an international law professor, to discuss the implications of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah on Gaza. They explore the ceasefire's potential to reshape regional stability and delve into Brazil's political challenges amid coup allegations. The conversation also touches on Donald Trump's trade threats against China, while humorously questioning whether singing in cinemas should be a thing. A lively and engaging commentary on critical issues!

Join Isabel Hilton, founder of China Dialogue, and Christopher Weiss, publisher of the Danish Architectural Press, as they dive into captivating discussions. Isabel shares insights on the implications of Trump's cabinet picks and the chaotic American political landscape. Christopher highlights the creation of the 'Most Beautiful Book in the World', exploring the charm of physical books in a digital age. They also touch upon the rising interest in Japanese literature among British readers and the quirky acquisition of Infowars by satirical outlet The Onion.

Isabel Hilton, founder of China Dialogue, and Marta Lorimer, a politics lecturer at Cardiff University, tackle intriguing topics this week. They analyze China's ongoing legal standoff with the EU over electric vehicle tariffs, weighing its impact on European manufacturers. The duo explores the political implications of a potential Trump presidency on EU dynamics amid rising tensions with China and Canada’s allegations against India. They also discuss the merits of compulsory voting and its effect on democratic engagement, linking it to global geopolitical shifts.

In this lively discussion, guests Tom Miller, an analyst at Gavekal Research, Isabel Hilton, founder of China Dialogue, and architect Austin Williams tackle hot-button issues surrounding China's recent economic downturn. They explore whether the slowdown reveals true decline or merely a western bias. The panel also dives into China's changing cultural landscape under strict governance, the implications of its aging population, and a shift in the Belt and Road Initiative towards sustainability, all while questioning what it means for the nation's future.

Isabel Hilton, an expert on China and founder of China Dialogue, shares insights on Taiwan's sovereignty amid escalating Chinese military drills. James Rogers, an associate professor in international journalism, weighs in on the implications of U.S. troop deployments in Israel. The conversation touches on the complexities of justice in a decades-old murder case from Germany, exploring how historical accountability is approached. They even debate the relevance of trigger warnings in discussing classical literature like Chaucer’s 'Canterbury Tales.'

Emma Nelson, a commentator on major weekend events, teams up with Nina dos Santos and Isabel Hilton to dissect pressing global issues. They delve into chaotic travel anecdotes, especially at Heathrow, and offer humorous takes on the British Royal Family. Tyler Brûlé shares insights from Stockholm, while Hannah Lucinda Smith updates listeners on Turkey’s foreign relations. The group also navigates the complexities of global geopolitics, including Taiwan's UN challenges and Turkey's environmental concerns, shedding light on today's multifaceted world.

Experts Kapil Komireddi, Beenish Javed, Isabel Hilton, and Ronan Lee discuss Modi's foreign-policy doctrine, strained relationships with Pakistan, China, and Myanmar, and India's regional dynamics. They delve into India's border strategies, passivity towards China, and the nuances of their relationship.