The China-Global South Podcast

In this special bonus episode, Eric speaks with Kaiser Kuo, host of the popular Sinica Podcast, about China's response to the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. Many U.S. and European analysts have framed Maduro's downfall as a "setback" or even an "embarrassment" for Beijing, but while that may be true, Eric argues that it's also premature to make such declarations less than a week after Maduro's downfall. After all, U.S.-led military interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya all started well but ended up being very costly failures for Washington. 📌 Topics covered include: China's reaction to Maduro's detention Why "China setback" claims may be premature Beijing's messaging vs. Chinese social media Why Venezuela ≠ Taiwan China's economic exposure in Venezuela The rise and fall of oil-backed loans What "all-weather partnership" really means Panama Canal risks for China Limits of U.S. hemispheric leverage China's Latin America knowledge gap Beijing's coup-response playbook Military lessons—and misreadings Instability as a threat to China's trade model What signals to watch next Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas Join us Patreon! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Alonso Illueca, a Latin America and Caribbean analyst specializing in China–Latin America relations, discusses the implications of Nicolás Maduro's detention for China's role in the region. He examines whether this setback is a significant failure for Beijing or a manageable shock. Topics include China's economic ties with Venezuela, recent electoral challenges to Chinese influence in Latin America, and the long-term geopolitical landscape. Illueca also highlights the complexities of U.S.-China rivalry and the enduring commercial connections that hinder rapid decoupling from China.

In this special year-end edition of The China-Global South Podcast, Eric, Cobus, and Géraud look back on the top stories of 2025 and look ahead to the key trend to watch in 2026. 📌 Topics covered include: Simandou goes online (Guinea) and the iron ore geopolitics shift Zambia's Kafue River spill and the China narrative battle China's manufacturing push, overcapacity, and export pressures Soybeans and South America's growing leverage in U.S.–China trade China–India détente and what it changes (and doesn't) G20 turbulence around South Africa and global governance fractures 2026 outlook: Southeast Asia rivalry, Zimbabwe lithium value-add, Senegal hidden debt Show Notes: The Financial Times: The American company seeking to counter China in Africa by David Pilling and Leslie Hook Foreign Policy: China's Appetite for Rosewood Is Causing Chaos in Africa by Joshua Eisenman and Caroline Costello Environmental Investigation Agency: New Report Finds That Home Depot Sold Illegally Sourced Tropical Wood for Years Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque | @christiangeraud Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas Join us Patreon! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Jane Perlez, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and former Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times, delves into the intense U.S.-China rivalry that is shaping the Global South. She discusses the personalities of Xi Jinping and Donald Trump, revealing how their leadership styles influence relations. China’s foreign aid strategy, the frustrations of its Gen Z, and the challenges faced by journalists cover critical dimensions of this conflict. Perlez also highlights important trends in tech competition and China's growing influence in the Pacific.

Alicia Chen, a political science PhD candidate at Stanford and author of 'Foreign Aid with Chinese Characteristics,' dives into the intricacies of China's unique foreign aid strategy. She explains how China distinguishes aid from development finance and why its aid budget remains modest. Alicia highlights China's tactical approach, especially its focus on regional organizations like the AU and ASEAN, and discusses how this strategy serves as a diplomatic tool rather than mere charity. She also debunks myths about aid motivations, revealing a nuanced picture of international influence.

In this episode of the China Global South Podcast, Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden unpack a major question facing middle powers everywhere: What happens when the global security architecture you relied on for decades no longer exists? Fresh from meetings at Australian National University and the Australasian Aid Conference, Eric shares conversations with scholars, diplomats, and policymakers in Canberra who are wrestling with a new geopolitical reality. Topics include: Eric and Cobus also break down China's push to promote its Global Security Initiative at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, the limitations of the UN system, and why both Western and Chinese security narratives fail to address Africa's real on-the-ground security challenges. 📌 Key topics in this episode: • The U.S.–China rivalry and why middle powers feel trapped • Australia's dilemma: China is the biggest customer AND biggest security concern • Why the Pacific Islands have become a frontline of strategic contestation • Joint patrols in the South China Sea and shifting regional alliances • Whether the Five Eyes model still works in a world where U.S. power is unpredictable • How Japan, South Korea, and Canada are rethinking security and trade • Why "rules-based order" no longer resonates across the Global South • China's Global Security Initiative (GSI) and what it actually means for Africa • Why many countries fear mass migration more than great-power conflict • Why middle powers still lack a clear, forward-looking vision JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH & SPANISH: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Innocent Batsani-Ncube, an associate professor of African politics and author of "China and African Parliaments," dives into how China has built over 200 government buildings in Africa, including national parliaments. He discusses the concept of "subtle power," which blends elite influence with infrastructure. Batsani-Ncube also highlights the politics behind construction choices and the local tensions in countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Are these buildings compromising sovereignty or enhancing legislative capability? Tune in for a fascinating exploration of China's influence in Africa.

In this insightful discussion, technology analyst Dan Wang, author of "Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future," dives into China’s 'engineering state' model. He explores how China transformed from poverty to manufacturing superpower, emphasizing massive infrastructure investments and strategic planning. Dan examines the model's origins in East Asian and Soviet traditions and questions its replicability in the Global South. He also tackles the complexities of tech transfer, the importance of 'process knowledge,' and the hidden costs behind China’s spectacular infrastructure.

In this engaging discussion, James Kynge, a veteran Financial Times journalist and author of Global Tech Wars, explores China's manufacturing dominance. He emphasizes how China's ability to produce a $6 toaster underscores its vast industrial capacity, which challenges less developed countries seeking progress. Kynge elaborates on the unique advantages of industrial clusters like Shenzhen, the impact of cheap robotics, and the significant hurdles the Global South faces in competing against the 'China Price.' His insights reveal the complexities of global trade dynamics.

In this conversation, Greg Chin, a political science associate professor at Boston University, and Kevin Gallagher, the director of the Global Development Policy Center, explore China's evolution in global finance. They delve into China's transition from being a 'rules taker' within the Bretton Woods system to a 'rules maker' through institutions like the AIIB. The duo discusses the strategic motivations behind these changes, the implications for the Global South, and how China's approach to debt and green finance reshapes international norms and partnerships.