China Insider

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu assesses the decisions made by and the personnel changes of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee during its Fifth Plenum last week. Next, he discusses the silencing of French star soccer player Kylian Mbappé over his laughing at a meme where he is depicted as Chairman Mao, whom he vaguely referred to as a "dictator." Lastly, he gives his thoughts on recent elections in the United States, Hungary, Serbia, and elsewhere, the greater meaning behind these elections, and what their results may have in store for future China policy around the world.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.

China’s pressure around Taiwan’s Pratas Island reveals a broader gray-zone strategy targeting the island’s outlying territories. Kim Jong-un’s public appearance in China highlights deepening ties among Beijing, Pyongyang, and Moscow, along with North Korea’s role in a Taiwan contingency. Meanwhile, Keen Sword 27 brings U.S., Japanese, and partner forces together across the region for large-scale military preparations.

China’s surging trade surplus collides with weak domestic demand, falling profitability, property losses, and unemployment. The discussion examines questionable economic data, struggling Chinese EV sales, and the broader risks of an unbalanced growth model. It also explores Beijing’s gray-zone pressure on Taiwan, allied missile deployments, and the mysterious political downfall of retired Chongqing official Huang Qifan.

In this week's episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses Taiwan’s National Day celebrations and what Taiwan's steadfastness in the face of the Chinese Communist Party's coercion signals for the island’s future and its ties with the United States. Dr. Yu then weighs in on the controversy surrounding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Navi Pillay despite her own tarnished human rights record and the nomination of other highly qualified candidates, and what it reveals about the CCP’s malign influence on the global human rights conversation. Finally, he examines a troubling lab incident in Russia and draws parallels between the restricted information environment surrounding this event and the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan.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.

In this week's episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses three seemingly unrelated stories from Xi Jinping's recent visit to Washington: the guest list at the White House state dinner, Xi's invitation for 100,000 young Americans to study in China, and the arrival of two giant pandas at the Atlanta Zoo. First, Miles notes how CEOs of major Chinese corporations and other Chinese business elite were notably absent at the White House state dinner in stark contrast to America's star-studded business delegation to Beijing in May, before highlighting what this tells us about the lack of political independence of entrepreneurs and all other citizens in China. Miles then analyzes Xi's invitation for 100,000 young Americans to study in China and the accompanying Chinese state narrative on the issue, including the fact that existing and proposed future student exchanges lack reciprocity and academic freedom for Americans in China. Finally, Miles looks beneath the cute veneer of China's delivery of two giant pandas to the Atlanta Zoo, discussing how this is part of an effort by Beijing to help rebuild its Southern foothold after the 2020 closure of the Houston consulate, as well as how the lovable panda bears themselves have been weaponized by Beijing in global diplomacy for decades.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.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews last week’s Trump-Xi summit, and details the key highlights from the second dialogue between the two leaders this year. Next, Miles takes a closer look at US-Japan relations following last week’s summit, and China’s emerging narrative against Japan. Finally, Miles follows up on China’s intensifying internal purges amidst continued economic slowdown, and what we can expect from the upcoming slate of purges at China’s fifth plenary meeting.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. 

The Trump-Xi summit looms, with tariffs, rare earths, agriculture, AI, Taiwan, and Boeing on the negotiating table. China’s support for Iran adds another layer of geopolitical tension. Meanwhile, BYD faces safety concerns, supplier vulnerabilities, and mounting financial strain. Reports about Xi Jinping’s health raise fresh questions about secrecy, succession, and China’s uncertain future.

Chinese military and intelligence actors allegedly use foreign AI through domestic platforms for weapons, cyber operations, and surveillance. The BRICS summit reveals tensions over sanctions, sovereignty, and China’s ambitions. Meanwhile, Chinese workers turn to overseas customers, regulators, and corporate compliance systems to challenge labor abuses, exposing unexpected vulnerabilities in global supply chains.

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers updates from the recent G20 meeting, and looks into the emerging clash between the new coalition of nineteen against China’s overcapacity and strategic industrial policy. Next, Miles looks ahead to the Trump-Xi meeting in Washington, D.C. and examines the CCP’s key narratives leading up to the second round of bilateral dialogue between the two leaders this year. Finally, Miles reviews the latest announcement of CCP purges, including a planned mass-dismissal of central committee members and officials at the party's Fifth Plenary session next month.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. 

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers ongoing recovery efforts following the recent landslide and flash flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border, and the implications for China going forward. Next, Miles reviews the investigation of cabbages treated with formaldehyde in rural China, and the regional backlash China now faces from its trading partners. Finally, Miles covers the latest news from China’s auto industry, as the domestic market heads for its worst year since 2021 amid continued sales decline. 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.