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.

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.