

ChinAI Newsletter
Jeffrey Ding
Narrations of the ChinAI Newsletter by Jeffrey Ding.
China is becoming an indispensable part of the global AI landscape. Alongside the rise of China’s AI capabilities, a surge of Chinese writing and scholarship on AI-related topics is shedding light on a range of fascinating topics, including: China’s grand strategy for advanced technology like AI, the characteristics of key Chinese AI actors (e.g. companies and individual thinkers), and the ethical implications of AI development.
While traditional media and China specialists can provide important insights on these questions through on-the-ground reporting and extensive background knowledge, ChinAI takes a different approach: it bets on the proposition that for many of these issues, the people with the most knowledge and insight are Chinese people themselves who are sharing their insights in Chinese. Through translating articles and documents from government departments, think tanks, traditional media, and newer forms of “self-media,” etc., ChinAI provides a unique look into the intersection between a country that is changing the world and a technology that is doing the same.
China is becoming an indispensable part of the global AI landscape. Alongside the rise of China’s AI capabilities, a surge of Chinese writing and scholarship on AI-related topics is shedding light on a range of fascinating topics, including: China’s grand strategy for advanced technology like AI, the characteristics of key Chinese AI actors (e.g. companies and individual thinkers), and the ethical implications of AI development.
While traditional media and China specialists can provide important insights on these questions through on-the-ground reporting and extensive background knowledge, ChinAI takes a different approach: it bets on the proposition that for many of these issues, the people with the most knowledge and insight are Chinese people themselves who are sharing their insights in Chinese. Through translating articles and documents from government departments, think tanks, traditional media, and newer forms of “self-media,” etc., ChinAI provides a unique look into the intersection between a country that is changing the world and a technology that is doing the same.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 19, 2026 • 8min
“ChinAI #343: AI Safety/Security Governance Research Report (CAICT 2025)” by Jeffrey Ding
Featured linksAI Safety/Security Governance Research Report (2025)ChinAI #254ChinAI #3152025 Q1 benchmarkNot Price Alone — Two Inflection Points Behind China’s Robot Vacuum Rise Over iRobotLegal Alignment for Safe and Ethical AIThe Enduring Value of Studying in China — A Conversation with the HNC’s Adam WebbFour young Chinese AI industry leaders hold open discussion (in Chinese)
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. ---
First published:
January 19th, 2026
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-343-ai-safetysecurity-governance
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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Jan 12, 2026 • 8min
“ChinAI #342: Around the Horn (23rd episode)” by Jeffrey Ding
Featured linksChinAI #333After my voice was “stolen” by AI, will I be replaced?HEYTEA falls off, DeepSeek Gets Defeated by this Company: Who Won the 2025 Battle of Best Brands?AI Safety/Security Governance Research Report (2025)China’s Venture Capital Market Emerges from WinterThe People who Resist AIThe first state-owned enterprise AI unicorn emerges!ChatGPT, is it trying to “cross the river by feeling for the stones” of Ant AfuAI Verbally Abuses User, Tencent Yuanbao RespondsMiniMax went public (in HK) this morning, and its stock price surged by 80%Comprehensive Computing Power Index Blue Book (2025)ChinAI #159
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 ---
First published:
January 12th, 2026
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-342-around-the-horn-23rd-episode
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Jan 5, 2026 • 10min
“ChinAI #341: Big Tech v. the Chinese Government in New AI Companion Regs” by Jeffrey Ding
China's new regulations matter but not for the reasons you think.Featured linksAn Initial Look at Companion AI Regulatory Pathways — Big Tech Firms are SleeplessEnglish translationGeopolitechs blogChinAI #271: Key Chinese GenAI Security Standard ChangelogAI Futures Project update to AI 2027The Coder ‘Village’ at the Heart of China’s A.I. FrenzyNesta essayAI toys are all the rage in China—and now they’re appearing on shelves in the US tooThe Race for Global Domination in AI
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 ---
First published:
January 5th, 2026
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-341-big-tech-v-the-chinese
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Dec 29, 2025 • 9min
“ChinAI #340: Year-end Reflections - Chinese Researchers on AI in Science” by Jeffrey Ding
Plus, some AI stories from a Shanghai daily newspaper.Featured linksWhat changes did AI actually bring to scientists this year?400-500 copies
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 ---
First published:
December 29th, 2025
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-340-year-end-reflections-by
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Dec 15, 2025 • 8min
“ChinAI #339: China’s Cloud Ecosystem Enters its (much-needed) Governance Phase” by Jeffrey Ding
Featured linksWhen the Cloud Ecosystem Enters a Governance PhaseAWS resellersAItechtalk articlePurdue effectively bans grad students from China, other countries, faculty say
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 ---
First published:
December 15th, 2025
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-339-chinas-cloud-ecosystem
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Dec 8, 2025 • 8min
“ChinAI #338: Model Context Protocol” by Jeffrey Ding
Featured linksMCP Cools, just One Year after its BirthChinAI #275AAU Expresses Concerns on NDAA’s SAFE Research ActHow China talks about ‘agentic AI’DSET event on Technology and the Rise of Great Powers
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 ---
First published:
December 8th, 2025
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-338-model-context-protocol
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Nov 24, 2025 • 11min
“ChinAI #337: China’s First AI English Teacher Earns its Stripes” by Jeffrey Ding
Why Chinese parents have sought out Zebra English's AI tutor Jessica.Featured linksThe First AI English Teacher “Takes Office”The Larger Meaning of China’s Crackdown on School TutoringIn the A.I. Race, Chinese Talent Still Drives American ResearchNew International Student Enrollments Plummeted This Fall, Survey Finds
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration. ---
First published:
November 24th, 2025
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-337-chinas-first-ai-english
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Nov 17, 2025 • 8min
“ChinAI #336: MiniMax as China’s OpenAI?” by Jeffrey Ding
Hopes and delusions about China's Little AI Dragons.Featured linksWho will come and challenge OpenAI?ChinAI #313ChinAI #264663B tokens from MiniMaxEmergency Response Measures for Catastrophic AI RiskFrontier AI Risk Management Framework in Practice: A Risk Analysis Technical ReportPresident for LifeTarbell Fellowship
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 ---
First published:
November 17th, 2025
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-336-minimax-as-chinas-openai
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Nov 10, 2025 • 11min
“ChinAI #335: Rereading Stanford’s 2025 AI Index” by Jeffrey Ding
Featured linksStanford’s AI Index ReportChinAI #162ChinAI #331The State of Chinese AI Apps 2025Why Trump’s cuts to scientific research are a big win for ChinaA Project is Not a Bundle of TasksThe Cyber Offense-Defense Balance for Trailing-Edge Organizations
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 2 footnotes which were omitted from this narration. ---
First published:
November 10th, 2025
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-335-rereading-stanfords-2025
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
---Images from the article:Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.

Nov 3, 2025 • 8min
“ChinAI #334: How AI is “Transforming” a Chinese University’s Humanities Program” by Jeffrey Ding
Featured linksHow a University is “Transforming” its Humanities and Social Sciences ProgramRoundtable Reviews ofThe power of one: How standout firms grow national productivityTranslations: As CAC Tackles “Malicious” Negativity Online, Popular Influencers Zhang Xuefeng, Hu Chenfeng, Lan Zhanfei Hit With BansSecond and Long
Thank you for reading and engaging
These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).
Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99 The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration. ---
First published:
November 3rd, 2025
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-334-how-ai-is-transforming
---
Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.


