

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

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.

7 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 31min
China Insider | US Strikes in Iran, Taiwan’s Great Recall Movement, China’s Youth Unemployment Crisis
Recent U.S. airstrikes in Iran and their impact on China's oil interests reveal complex geopolitical tensions. The analysis covers Taiwan's Great Recall Movement, showcasing the electorate's demand for accountability amid political strife. Youth unemployment in China is explored, with grim statistics suggesting rates could be as high as 46%. The discussion also highlights the broader economic challenges, including declining foreign investment and the struggle for job opportunities for new graduates.

Jun 17, 2025 • 29min
China Insider | Israel-Iran Conflict, G7 Summit, PLAN Second Island Chain Operations
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu comments on the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, and what impact this may have on China's strategic objectives for Iran and larger policy implications for regional relations in the Middle East. Next, Miles unpacks the latest news from the G7 Summit held in Canada as the member nations discuss China's non-market policies and unfair business practices. Lastly, we discuss the recent PLA Navy operation involving two aircraft carriers sailing east of the first island chain in the Indo-Pacific, and how the US and its allies may look to respond under the new strategic policy shift to deter Chinese maritime aggression.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.

7 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 26min
China Insider | Trump-Musk Dispute, China's BYD Debt Crisis, South Korea's Presidential Election
Delve into the rift between Trump and Musk and its potential impact on U.S.-China relations and trade talks. Explore the looming concerns over a BYD debt crisis in China's EV market, drawing parallels to the Evergrande situation. Lastly, unpack the implications of South Korea's recent presidential election, examining President-elect Lee's foreign policy goals and the geopolitical challenges in managing relations with both the U.S. and China.

Jun 3, 2025 • 28min
China Insider | Shangri-La Dialogue, Hong Kong's International Organization for Mediation, 36th Anniversary of Tiananmen Square
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu unpacks the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue on the United States' strategic refocus to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Second, Miles examines the establishment of an International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong, and the potential consequences of China's growing influence in global governance. Lastly, we observe the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and revisit the many lessons and memories still relevant today.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.