China Insider

Xi Jinping outlined four critical red lines to President Biden, warning against U.S. interference in Chinese affairs. The discussion highlights concerns over Taiwan and human rights, reflecting the Communist Party's fear of dissent. A disturbing rise in violent incidents in China is examined, shedding light on societal unrest and mental health issues. Meanwhile, tensions escalate in Ukraine, with North Korean troops potentially increasing their involvement in the conflict.

Donald Trump's recent reelection prompts intriguing discussions about American democracy and the potential fallout for U.S.-China relations. The impact on trade and national security takes center stage, highlighting a tense diplomatic landscape. Meanwhile, a spontaneous nocturnal bike ride among Chinese youth becomes a symbol of their desire for community and freedom, sparking CCP panic. This cultural shift reveals deeper anxieties within the Chinese regime, hinting at emerging youthful defiance amidst socio-economic challenges.

It's Election Day, and the podcast explores the uniqueness of American democracy and its global influence. Chinese interference in U.S. elections is dissected, revealing disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining democracy. The evolving axis of China, Russia, and North Korea is examined, especially in relation to North Korean troops in Ukraine. The contrasting political journeys of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer a historical perspective on American politics. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the importance of civic engagement amidst these geopolitical dynamics.

Hudson expert Miles Yu opens with his assessment of the BRICS summit held last week in Kazan, Russia, and whether it accomplished anything other than a moral victory for Vladimir Putin’s legitimatization campaign. Second, he analyzes the conveniently timed agreement between China and India over their longstanding border dispute in the Himalayas and argues that the solution is more a circumstantial strategy shift than a true settlement. Finally, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visited the Island of Quemoy to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Guningtou, which Miles likens to both the Battle of Saratoga and the Battle of Midway in terms of significance in shaping Taiwan’s history.

South Korean intelligence services have revealed credible evidence that North Korea has deployed upwards of 12,000 troops for training and ultimately combat alongside Russia in the war against Ukraine. Miles Yu analyzes the significance of this escalation what this signals for the anti-western axis of Russia, China and North Korea.  Second, with the US presidential election reaching its apex, the economy, and tariffs, are in the spotlight. Miles retraces what lead to the tariffs on Chinese imports started during Trump's first term, and why they  have had such strong bipartisan support. Finally, Miles details why China has so few Nobel laureates, and why the four winners they have had don't receive the heroes treatment you might expect. 

We start with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s “Double Ten” speech last week, which commemorated Taiwan’s National Day on October 10. President Lai laid out his government’s agenda and called for cooperation to bring political unity to Taiwan. Next, we detail the dramatic rise and fall of China’s stock market in the last two weeks and why the Chinese Communist Party’s planned economy is losing trust both domestically and internationally. And last, we cover the detention of four Taiwanese business executives working at Foxconn in mainland China.

Tensions soar as China celebrates 75 years of Communist rule on October 1, while Taiwan commemorates its national day just nine days later. This rivalry is steeped in history and politics. Taiwan's president firmly rejects China's recent peace proposal, choosing a path of self-defense instead. Meanwhile, as the anniversary of the October 7th terror attacks looms, China's ambitions in the Middle East come into focus, revealing intricate relationships with Israel, Iran, and the broader geopolitical landscape.

Human rights sat decidedly at the core of the bi-lateral relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States during the cold war. International awareness, dissident support and tangible accountability measures made human rights a powerful tool in the US arsenal to combat communist influence. Yet, today we don't see the same clarity in policy and action applied to the actions of the Chinese Communist Party. Whether it's the Uyghurs, or any other group from the laundry list of oppressed minorities, the CCP has made it a policy to subjugate, kill, silence or "re-educate" anyone who does not center their beliefs around those of the party. Senior Fellow, Olivia Enos, joins the show this week to paint a scary picture of just how widespread CCP repression is, and how the US can step up to the plate to hold the communist regime to account for its human rights violations. 

Miles Yu, a geopolitical expert, sheds light on critical international developments. He discusses the significance of the first Japanese destroyer navigating the Taiwan Strait alongside vessels from Australia and New Zealand, emphasizing its impact on countering Chinese aggression. The conversation pivots to the Ukraine war, delving into how China positions itself during this conflict. Lastly, Yu examines new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's approach to regional security, highlighting a shift towards bolstering alliances and defense strategies.

With President Joe Biden's final Quad meeting taking place last weekend, Miles Yu gives us some background on the multilateral group of nations, and it's importance in defining, and bringing order to, the Indo-Pacific. Next, we cover the continued rise of violent xenophobia inside China in light of another stabbing and death of a 10-year old Japanese schoolboy. This time the Japanese government, along with Japanese companies in China, is making it clear that they're fed up with the Chines Communist Party's culture of fear.  Finally, the U.S. Commerce Department officially proposed a new ban on Chinese-made car parts, citing not economics as the reason, but rather national security.