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China Plus
A place to unpack reactions to major events and hot issues in a casual setting.
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Dec 5, 2025 • 55min
Why sealing drug use records triggers widespread concern in China
China's new rule to seal public-security violation records is being hailed as historic, yet nothing has stirred more controversy than the plan to seal drug-use records. Why this issue? How justified are the public's concerns? And with millions speaking out online, could public pressure reshape how the rule is ultimately implemented? Or, if not, what can be done to reduce potential risks?
Host TU Yun joins Mr. Bai Xianyue, Partner of Grandall Law Firm Tianjn Office, Professor Josef Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations, East China Normal University and Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow, Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China for a chat.

Nov 28, 2025 • 55min
Is the full resumption of visas enough to rekindle Chinese travel to India?
India has fully restored global visa services for Chinese travelers. What's behind the policy change? Can they realistically expect a quick rebound in Chinese tourist numbers? What are the biggest factors holding Chinese travelers back? And could this full restoration of visas become a genuine turning point in China–India relations?
Host TU Yun joins Professor Zhang Wenjuan of Jindal Global Law School, India, Subramania Bhatt, Founder and CEO, China Trading Desk, and Gao Xirui, a Political Science PhD candidate, Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Hong Kong for a chat.

Nov 21, 2025 • 55min
De-Sinicizing Tesla: Strategy, survival, or self-sabotage?
Tesla is accelerating its shift away from components made in China. It's pushing suppliers to eliminate China-made auto parts for cars built in the United States within the next year or two. Is this strategy due to political pressure from Washington, or is it preparation for a more aggressive trade environment? Is the change even possible? How could this reshape Tesla's business in China, where the company has long enjoyed policy support and unmatched efficiency? And how may this push for de-Sinicization affect U.S. automakers' global edge?
Host TU Yun joins Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University, Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, and Joseph Siracusa, Professor of Global Futures, Curtin University for a closer look.

Nov 14, 2025 • 55min
Securitizing trade: Germany's risky rebalance with China
Berlin is setting up a committee to re-examine its security-related trade policies towards Beijing. This comes as China just overtook the United States to become Germany's No. 1 trading partner. What's driving this sudden rethink? Is it politics, pressure, or protectionism? How will Germany's biggest companies, from autos to chemicals, react as the rules of engagement shift? And where will a possible new phase of Sino-German relations lead, and what might it mean for Europe and the world?
Host TU Yun joins Professor Klaus Larres, the Richard M. Krasno Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Professor Josef Gregory Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations, East China Normal University, and Dr. Zhou Mi, the Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation for a close look.

Nov 7, 2025 • 55min
CIIE 2025: How China’s open market creates global trade opportunities
China's massive import fair is back, and it's bigger than ever. Over 4,100 companies from 155 countries and regions have set up shops at this year's China International Import Expo, where opportunity meets open markets. What's fueling the CIIE's magnetic pull? And how is China's open-door approach reshaping global trade? Host Xu Yawen is joined by Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation; Prof. Josef Gregory Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations at East China Normal University; and Prof. George Tzogopoulos, Director of EU-China Programs and Senior Research Fellow at the European Institute of Nice.

Oct 31, 2025 • 55min
The Nexperia shock: How the Netherlands' move could backfire on Europe
European carmakers are facing the risk of production stoppage as a result of the Dutch government's abrupt seizure of chip company Nexperia from its Chinese owner. What's behind the Nexperia drama? Has the Netherlands overplayed its hand? Who ultimately stands to lose the most? And what does it mean for Europe's industries?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Zhou Mi, the Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Andy Mok, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Dr. Eric Harwit, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Hawaiito for a close look.

Oct 24, 2025 • 55min
Toward a sustainable tomorrow: APEC 2025 preview
The annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is just days away. This year, all eyes are on Gyeongju, South Korea, where leaders will gather under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper." What's the mood heading into this year's APEC? Can innovation and AI really drive shared prosperity? And in an era of shifting alliances and rising protectionism, can APEC still connect a divided world?
Host TU Yun joins Mela Lesmoras, a TV reporter from PTV News, the Philippines, Ben Norton, the Editor of the Geopolitical Economy Report, from the United States, Warwick Powell, an Adjunct Professor of the Queensland University of Technology and active figure on X and Substack, and Dr. Sanjay Kumar, a journalist at The Korea Herald to unpack what's at stake.

Oct 3, 2025 • 55min
Can China lure more foreign capital to its housing market?
To buy or not to buy — that's the question. China is easing property restrictions and loosening cross-border financing rules to draw more foreign buyers. Is this a last resort to boost its sluggish housing market? How much appetite does foreign capital have for Chinese real estate? Which cities are likely to stand out for overseas investors? And what further reforms are needed to bring in capital without tipping the balance?
Host TU Yun joins Professor Qu Qiang, Fellow, Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China, Professor Kwan Ok Lee, Deputy Head, Department of Real Estate, National University of Singapore, and Chen Jiahe, Chief Investment Officer, Novem Arcae Technologies to break down the changes that may reshape China's property market.

Sep 26, 2025 • 55min
Where is U.S. business headed, and what does it mean for China?
Top U.S. business leaders are quietly fuming. They say Washington's policies hurt innovation, raise costs, and undermine competitiveness. But why won't they say so openly? What risks do they fear? Under what conditions could the White House reverse course?
Host TU Yun joins Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow, Center for China and Globalization, David Blair, Senior Economist, Alliance of Global Talent Organizations, and Alex Sili Zhou, Associate Professor of Economics and Finance, University of Macau to dig into the closed-door frustrations of American CEOs, explore the global ripple effects, and ask what it all means for U.S.–China business ties.

Sep 19, 2025 • 55min
China's chip probes: trade tactic or tech strategy?
The U.S.–China chip rivalry is heating up. Beijing has launched two new probes—one on analog chip dumping, the other on U.S. trade restrictions. What's behind China's move? And how could they reshape China's chip market, the trajectory of the chip conflict, or even the broader tech rivalry between the two countries?
Host TU Yun joins Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University, Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director, Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, and Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology for a close look.


