ChinaPower

Ian Johnson, author of Sparks: China's Underground Historians and Their Battle for the Future, discusses underground historians in China and their battle for control of the country's history. He explains how these historians challenge the official narrative and potentially shape the future trajectory of China. Johnson urges Western intellectuals to engage with these historians and recognize their work in an authoritarian system.

David Logan and Phil Saunders discuss China’s expansion of its nuclear capabilities and the reasons behind it. They explore China's modernization efforts, changes in nuclear policy and doctrine, removal of rocket force commanders, pursuit of tactical nuclear weapons, and China-Russia cooperation in nuclear issues.

Eric Huang and Fei-fan Lin, representing KMT and DPP respectively, discuss Taiwan's 2024 Presidential Elections. They share insights on political agendas, cross-Strait relations, and Vice President Lai's US transit. The guests highlight the basis for a dialogue with China proposed by each candidate and provide pointers for election watchers. Topics include defense capabilities, polling results, important dates, and the impact on cross-strait relations.

Vanda Felbab-Brown, an expert on China's role in the fentanyl epidemic, discusses the global spread of fentanyl and synthetic drugs, China's complex relationship with drug networks, and the challenges in intelligence sharing and combating criminal networks between the US and China.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Pete Connolly to discuss China’s activities in the Pacific Islands, specifically Melanesia. Dr. Connolly explains that through his field research, he observed a shift in Chinese engagement in Melanesia between 2017 and 2022, indicating the strategic importance that China attaches to region. He unpacks major Chinese political and economic efforts in Melanesia and argues that they have had a strong impact on the region. Moving forward, Dr. Connolly predicts growing PRC activity and influence in Melanesia.Pete Connolly is an expert in security, strategy, and international relations with 36 years of experience in the Australian Defence Force and a PhD in international, political, and strategic studies. His dissertation analyzed change in China’s statecraft in the Pacific Islands from 2017 and local responses to it. His analysis connects extensive on-the-ground research in Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji with China’s strategic interests. As a military officer he led multidisciplinary teams in planning, analysis, engagement, and research in Defence, the Pentagon, and coalition operations.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, we are joined by Professor Meg Rithmire to discuss U.S.-China economic relations and Secretary Janet Yellen’s recent visit to Beijing. Professor Rithmire explains that the main goal of Secretary Yellen’s visit was to convey the United States’ willingness to discuss difficult issues with Beijing and that the United States does not seek to contain or decouple with China. She explains China’s internal economic challenges and details that, in China’s perspective, its economic challenges can be tied to U.S. trade restrictions. The future of U.S.-China economic relations is still fragile and a long way from stable, Professor Rithmire argues, but both sides are attempting to make improvements by having more frequent meetings. Professor Meg Rithmire is an associate professor in the Business, Government, International Economy Unit at the Harvard Business School. She is also a faculty associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, the Fairbank Center for East Asian Studies at Harvard, and the Harvard Faculty Committee on Southeast Asia. Professor Rithmire’s primary expertise is in the comparative political economy development with a focus on China and Asia. Her work focuses on China’s role in the world, including Chinese outward investment and lending practices and economic relations between China and other countries, especially the United States. 

China's advancement in quantum technologies is discussed in this episode. Dr. Edward Parker highlights China's focus on quantum communications, while the US prioritizes quantum computing and sensing. Issues of broad export controls and the risk to scientific progress are also discussed. The podcast explores the differences between quantum technology and AI, their potential impacts, and the importance of maintaining the US's lead in the field.

Xin Qiang and Dennis Wilder discuss how the U.S. and China can manage potential crises from military activities. They emphasize tensions are at a new high and the need for better communication and understanding. They explore the impact of past incidents, factors influencing responses, and differences in crisis management. They recommend reducing military activities and promoting cooperation to resolve future crises.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Michael J. Green to discuss U.S.-China competition for influence in the Pacific Islands and broader Indo-Pacific region following President Biden’s trip to Asia. Dr. Green begins with an overview of countries’ expectations ahead of Biden’s trip. Despite Biden’s shortened trip, the trip was still substantive, maintains Dr. Green, with major breakthroughs and agreements struck. He highlights the varying attitudes and approaches G7 countries have towards China and describes the difference between decoupling and de-risking. Lastly, Dr. Green reveals that the People’s Liberation Army’s recent actions have been damaging to its overall grand strategy.  Dr. Michael J. Green is Chief Executive Officer at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Previously he was Senior Vice President for Asia, Japan Chair, and Henry A. Kissinger Chair at CSIS and director of Asian Studies and Chair in Modern and Contemporary Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He also served on the staff of the National Security Council from 2001 through 2005, first as director for Asian affairs with responsibility for Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, and then as special assistant to the president for national security affairs and senior director for Asia, with responsibility for East Asia and South Asia. 

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, we are joined by Mr. Gregory C. Allen to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), China’s thinking on AI technology, and U.S.-China competition in this realm. Mr. Allen explains that over the last decade, the approach to AI technology has greatly shifted with a new emphasis on machine learning. He describes the steps of the AI value chain and how different stages are more computationally intensive than others. He assesses that China has responded to U.S. export controls on certain advanced computing chips to China through several measures, including foreign technology acquisition and restriction evasion. However, Mr. Allen points out that chip making equipment is central to AI technology, and China does not yet possess this capability. Lastly, he reveals that the Chinese military views AI capabilities as foundational to China’s economic and military power. Gregory C. Allen is the director of the Wadhwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies and a senior fellow in the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, he was the director of strategy and policy at the Department of Defense (DOD) Joint Artificial Intelligence Center, where he oversaw development and implementation of the DOD’s AI Strategy, drove policy and human capital reforms to accelerate the DOD’s adoption of AI, developed mechanisms for AI governance and ethics, and led frequent diplomatic engagements with governments and militaries in Europe and the Indo-Pacific regions, including China.