

China Insider
Hudson Institute
China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute's China Center, hosted by Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 20, 2025 • 31min
China Insider | Social Security Payments, PLA Navy Collision in the Indo-Pacific, 80th Anniversary Military Parade
China's Supreme People's Court mandates new employee contributions to Social Security, stirring concerns over job security and financial strain. Unemployment challenges loom larger as disparities in pension distribution become evident. Tensions escalate in the Indo-Pacific following a collision between Chinese and Philippine Coast Guards, raising questions about regional security. Additionally, the upcoming military parade marks a controversial commemoration of World War II, critiqued for promoting misleading narratives and fostering anti-Japanese sentiment in contemporary China.

Aug 12, 2025 • 29min
China Insider | US-China Trade Talks, Sichuan Protests, 80th Anniversary of VJ Day
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu breaks down the latest round of trade talks between the US and China as both sides agree to a 90-day extension for continued negotiations toward a potential trade deal. Next, Miles covers the rising public outrage in Sichuan province over local law enforcement’s alleged mishandling of a violent school bullying incident in Jiangyou City. Lastly, Miles comments on the rising anti-Japanese sentiment across China that coincides with the 80th anniversary of Japanese surrender ending WWII in the Pacific. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

Aug 5, 2025 • 32min
China Insider | Beijing Floods, US Tariffs, CEO Monk Arrested
Severe flooding in northern China has caused over 60 deaths and widespread displacement, revealing a critical failure in the government's disaster response. Public outrage is rising as citizens question the adequacy of relief efforts. Meanwhile, the discussion on US tariffs unveils the complexities of trade dynamics and the push for fairer practices. Lastly, a scandal emerges at the Shaolin Temple, as allegations of embezzlement surround its abbot, challenging the intersection of wealth and Buddhist principles in a politically sensitive climate.

Jul 29, 2025 • 25min
China Insider | China After Communism, Taiwan's Recall Election, China's Growing Protest Movements
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the latest report from Hudson Institute's China Center, China after Communism: Preparing for a Post-CCP China, and highlights key findings and analysis regarding a potential collapse of centralized authority in China. Next, Miles unpacks the latest updates following Taiwan's Recall Election, and what the results mean for the next round of elections in August and Taiwan's democratic process. Lastly, Miles looks back at the protest movements across China since the beginning of this year and discusses the impact these movements have on China's social stability and CCP regime legitimacy. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

Jul 22, 2025 • 39min
China Insider | Taiwan's Han Kuang, 800 Brother, China's Q2 GDP Growth Rate
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews Taiwan's ten-day long Han Kuang military exercise, involving civilian drills and military training to prepare for a potential invasion and counter ongoing PLA gray zone operations. Next, Miles covers the "800 Brother" story trending across Chinese social media and internet forums as the popular worker wage movements maintain their current momentum on a national scale. Lastly, Miles digs into China's reported 5.2% GDP growth over the second quarter of this year, and examines the historical efficacy of China's National Bureau of Statistics' economic analysis and reporting. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

Jul 15, 2025 • 30min
China Insider | Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday, PLA Navy in Hong Kong, China’s 80th Anniversary of WWII Victory
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the Dalai Lama’s 90thbirthday, and the implications of his succession for the future of Tibetan Buddhism, culture, and identity in the face of aggressive CCP interference. Next, Miles unpacks the extended docking of the Shandong carrier fleet in Hong Kong and highlights the significance of the local celebrations hosted by the CCP government in Hong Kong. Lastly, Miles details the preparations for China’s 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, and examines the importance of the month’s long celebrations to bolster CCP legitimacy.China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

Jul 9, 2025 • 32min
China Insider Interview | Tory Bruno, CEO of United Launch Alliance
Miles sits down with Tory Bruno, CEO of United Launch Alliance, an organization dedicated to pioneering technologies that support humanitarian, national security, and commercial space-based initiatives. They discuss the importance of strategic space policy and security under the ever-evolving US-China strategic competition dynamic; where the US stands in relation to Chinese satellite technology, development and infrastructure; and what strategies the US and its allies should prioritize to counter China’s efforts to dominate the space domain. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

Jul 8, 2025 • 30min
China Insider | CCP's 100 Million Member Milestone, Minister Wang Yi in Brussels, China's Consumer Consumption Myth
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses Chinese Communist Party's 100-million-member milestone, what this means for China, and whether the declining annual membership growth rates indicate concerning trends about the future health of the Party. Next, Miles comments on Foreign Minister Wang Yi's recent visit with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, including the Foreign Minister's candid comments from a closed-door meeting that revealed China's stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine is more one-sided than previous official Party statements have publicly indicated. Lastly, Miles tests the myth of China's consumer consumption crisis and unpacks the nuanced relationship between China's selective consumer spending and current income disparities.China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

Jul 3, 2025 • 46min
China Insider Interview | Joe Gebbia, Sr. of State Shield
Miles sits down with Joe Gebbia, Sr., founder and CEO of State Shield, an organization on the frontlines of countering CCP influence across US state and local governments. They discuss a wide range of issues vital to supporting state and local legislatures to protect their citizens and infrastructure, including State Shield’s origins, mission and current projects, and the importance of preserving American interests at the sub-national level. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center hosted by Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss and in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.

Jul 1, 2025 • 28min
China Insider | PLA Purges, BRICS & QUAD Summits, Shanghai Cooperation Organization
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu unpacks the latest round of PLA purges officially released by the National People’s Congress, including high-level Central Military Commission official Miao Hua, and what this means for CCP bureaucratic and cadre politics. Next, Miles forecasts the upcoming BRICS and QUAD summits, and the importance of collective dialogue to address current global security issues and ongoing conflicts. Lastly, Miles comments on the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Qingdao, including geopolitical analysis of the SCO’s legitimacy among member nations and implications for the future of the organization under China’s leadership.China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute’s China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.