The international media uses strong words to describe China’s system of governance. American newspapers often inform their readers that China’s regime is “authoritarian” or “totalitarian”, or both. Yet supporters of the Communist Party say that China has developed a political system which perfectly suits its culture and that "socialism with Chinese characteristics” is a form of democracy, superior to that of the 'decadent west'. So what is the best terminology to properly describe the politics of contemporary China? Frank Tsai from China Crossroads in Shanghai discusses this issue with podcast host Duncan Bartlett.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

The danger of war in the Taiwan Strait is growing. This island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which favours Taiwan’s de jure independence, is becoming increasingly friendly with the United States. President Biden has said America will fight to defend Taiwan if it is attacked. The threat from China is clear whenever its aircraft fly into Taiwanese airspace. Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute offers his analysis of the situation, in conversation with podcast host, Duncan Bartlett.________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

British foreign policy, including towards China, is being forged under fraught circumstances. The Conservative government is losing favour not just with the press and the public but has also experienced battles among its own members. Politicians are sometimes referred to as hawks or doves on China, yet how suitable are such labels? And how much do Britain’s elected representatives really understand China? Sam Hogg founder of Beijing to Britain discusses politics with Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs magazine.   China In Context: Episode 70 Broadcast date: 21 June, 2022________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

China does not play fair when it comes to the intellectual property of American companies, according to the Biden administration. It is not a new allegation. The US has been complaining about having ideas stolen by China and the issue helped prompt a 'trade war' when Donald Trump was president. Last year, China amended its laws on patents and copyright. How far do these changes go in satisfying America’s concerns? In this podcast, Benjamin A Jacobs, the Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce China Centre, explains how businesses see the problem and talks through the response among policy makers in Washington. The podcast is hosted by Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs.   China In Context: Episode 69 Broadcast date: 14 June, 2022________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

A decade into the leadership of Xi Jinping, China appears to have even greater potential to transform global affairs than at any stage since it began to open up to the outside world, about thirty years ago. We often hear it said that China is ambitious and assertive on the foreign policy front.Yet how well do we really understand the objectives of Xi Jinping’s foreign policy? Beyond the wolf warrior rhetoric and promises of win-win partnerships, what does China ultimately want in the world? Podcast host Duncan Bartlett puts these questions to Dr Bates Gill, Professor of Asia-Pacific Security Studies at Macquarie University in Sydney and the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence with the Asia Society, Australia.   China In Context: Episode 68 Broadcast date: 7th June, 2022________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

As the global order changes, Germany is recasting its relations with China. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel visited China 12 times and forged a close relationship with Xi Jinping. However, under the current German leader Olaf Scholz, there’s a widening diplomatic gulf between the nations, with a growing wave of criticism of China’s human rights record. Both China and Germany face dramatic slowdowns in their economies. So how much do they need each other as trading partners? In this podcast Bonnie S Glaser, Director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, guides podcast host Duncan Bartlett through a complex international relationship.   China In Context: Episode 67 Broadcast date: 31 May, 2022________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

Political ties between Beijing and Hong Kong are growing tighter as a new Chief Executive prepares to take power in the city. John Lee is an avid proponent of the national security legislation which was brought in to crack down on dissent in Hong Kong, following anti-government protests. Mr Lee is a former police chief and the main candidate favoured by the Chinese Communist Party. His promotion has caused concern among those who campaign for greater democracy and freedom of speech in Hong Kong. Howard Zhang, editor of the BBC’s Chinese service, considers the outlook for the city in conversation with podcast host Duncan Bartlett.   China In Context: Episode 66 Broadcast date: 24 May, 2022________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

Twenty percent of China’s international trade flows through Shanghai, so when the port was hit by a lockdown at the start of April 2022, the repercussions quickly rippled across the globe. Companies such as Apple, Tesla, Adidas and Este Lauder all warned of disruption to their supply chains and the likelihood of higher costs for consumers. The enforced period of isolation has been a worrying time for Shanghai’s 25 million residents. In this week’s podcast, Frank Tsai - who’s been confined to his apartment in Shanghai for many weeks - speaks to presenter Duncan Bartlett about his experiences and considers the economic implications of China’s so-called “zero-Covid” approach. Frank Tsai is the founder of China Crossroads.   China In Context: Episode 65 Broadcast date: 17 May, 2022________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

South Korea’s new president is enjoying attention from both the United States and China. Yoon Suk-yeol spoke with President Biden just a few hours after he was elected and is preparing to host the US leader in Seoul in May. Mr Yoon has also spoken on the telephone with Xi Jinping, who assured him that China and South Korea are “inseparable partners”. It is a delicate balancing act but there are strong indications that Mr Yoon is more inclined to strengthen the alliance with the US than to draw closer politically to China. In this podcast, Paul Hodges, founder of New Normal consulting, discusses South Korea’s strategy towards China with Duncan Bartlett, the Editor of Asian Affairs.   China In Context: Episode 64 Broadcast date: 10 May, 2022________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0

China is one of very few countries to hold permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, a committee with the daunting brief to maintain peace and security throughout the world. The mood is often fractious, with China and Russia on one side, at loggerheads with Britain, France and the United States on the other. Xi Jinping recently proposed a new "global security initiative" that upholds the principle of "indivisible security", although he offered few details on how this might be implemented. In this podcast, Bonnie S Glaser, Director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, offers her analysis of China’s role at the UN. The podcast is hosted by the Editor of Asian Affairs, Duncan Bartlett.   China In Context: Episode 63 Broadcast date: 3rd May, 2022________________________________________SOAS China Institute (SCI) SCI Blog SCI on X SCI on LinkedIn SCI on Facebook SCI on Instagram ________________________________________Music credit: Sappheiros / CC BY 3.0