Lee Jones

Lee Jones, an expert on Chinese state structure and external relations, and Shahar Hameiri, who focuses on the Chinese Communist Party's dynamics, delve into the reality of China's fragmented authority. They discuss the implications of recent Party plenums and Xi Jinping's leadership, questioning who truly wields power. The duo examines the Sino-Russian alliance, the status of wolf-warrior diplomacy, and the potential economic fallout from China's property bubble. They also tackle concerns about escalating tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Shahar Hameiri, a political science professor at The University of Queensland, and Lee Jones, an expert in international politics at Queen Mary University, delve into the infrastructure rivalry between the U.S. and China. They dissect China's Belt and Road Initiative and its geopolitical impact, revealing why American initiatives struggle to keep pace. The discussion highlights U.S. underinvestment, the challenges of attracting private capital, and the contrasting approaches to public-private partnerships. Listeners gain insights into the evolving landscape of global infrastructure finance.