Josh Chin and Lisa Lin, journalists at the Wall Street Journal and co-authors of Surveillance State, delve into the intricacies of China's surveillance mechanisms. They discuss how advanced technologies are used for social control and the role of Silicon Valley in this global phenomenon. The conversation also touches on the implications for U.S.-China relations and the future of privacy as American firms engage in tech partnerships with China. Their insights reveal a complex interplay of power, control, and the ethical questions surrounding surveillance.

Lisa Lin, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal based in Singapore, discusses the shifting COVID-19 landscape in Asia. She highlights how Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore initially managed to keep cases low, thanks to lessons learned from SARS. However, the podcast emphasizes the alarming resurgence in infections due to returning travelers. Lin explores the urgent measures these regions are implementing, the evolving public sentiment, and the intersection of technology and privacy in response strategies.