Chat Lounge

China has conducted another major asset reshuffle to overhaul its financial sector. The Ministry of Finance has transferred all of its controlling stakes in a group of financial companies to Central Huijin Investment, a sovereign fund under the State Council. What prompted the reshuffle? Is it just an asset transfer between different pockets of the central government? To what extent will it help to overhaul the country's financial sector? Host Tu Yun joins Andy Mok, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Dr. Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, and Dr. Li Lun, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Peking University, for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Chinese equities are hot right now. Global hedge funds have been snapping up Chinese stocks this year, fueled by the emergence of artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek. What are the implications of the buying spree for the country's equity market and the whole economy? How long will the momentum continue? How may the world's investment landscape change as a result? And as global institutional investors chase China's tech companies, could they stir up undesired bubbles on the country's equity markets? In this episode of Chat Lounge, host Tu Yun joins William Lee, the Chief Economist with the U.S.-based Milken Institute, Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of the Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies to examine the issue in detail.

Some say it’s the art of the deal. Others argue it’s merely extortion and blackmail. As US President Donald Trump wields his tariff stick around the world, how big will it impact the U.S. domestic market and the global economy? What can the rest of the world do in response? How far will the U.S. tariffs go? And what’s the outlook for Trump achieving the vision of revitalizing manufacturing? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Josef Mahoney, a professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University, Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China, and Dr. Christis Tombazos, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Monash University for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Wall Street has been stunned. A Chinese quantitative hedge fund fueled a massive selloff of tech stocks, not with quant trading, but with the release of its large-language model, DeepSeek R1. How could a Chinese hedge fund trigger such a shockwave in the AI sector? How may it reshape AI-related industries? Does it signal an acceleration of China catching up or surpassing the U.S. in AI? And is it heralding the crumbling of the U.S. “small yard and high fence” strategy against China? Host Tu Yun joins Prof. Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist from the AI Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia, Andy Mok, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

The fate of TikTok hangs in the balance once again. The popular video-sharing app, used by 170 million Americans, went dark last Saturday just before a federal law was set to take effect. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, just hours after his swearing-in, allowing TikTok to continue operating for 75 days. Trump’s proposed joint venture model, which would require U.S. ownership of 50% of TikTok, is at the center of the debate. Is this a feasible solution? Does it comply with China’s laws and regulations? Why did Trump bring TikTok back? Will this popular app survive in the U.S. after the 75-day extension? Host Xu Yawen is joined by Wang Haolan, a research assistant at the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis; Edward Lehman, a legal affairs commentator and managing director of LEHMAN, LEE & Xu Law Firm; Dr. Digby Wren, an external relations advisor to the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

The United States is gearing up to regain its dominance in advanced chipmaking. Washington wants to control where the chips are going by introducing new restrictions that'll affect over 100 countries. Why did the U.S. government do so despite opposition from leading industry players like Nvidia? How may the European Union and China, the two major markets for advanced chips, react? And can the U.S. regain its leading position in chipmaking as Washington hopes for? Host Tu Yun joins William Lee, chief economist with the U.S.-based Milken Institute, Dr. Qu Qiang, a fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China, and Dr. Li Lun, assistant professor of economics at Peking University for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Japan's largest steelmaker has brought the U.S. government to court as the latter has blocked the steelmaker's acquisition of an American firm. Why is Nippon Steel so obsessed with a loss-making company? Why would Washington say the deal threatens national security? What implications does a failed acquisition have for those hoping to invest in the U.S.? Host Tu Yun joins William Lee, the Chief Economist at the U.S.-based Milken Institute, Dr. Edward Lehman, the Founder and Managing Director of China-based law firm Lehman, Lee & Xu, and Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Time for a year-end review. Check out the key dynamics shaping the global landscape in the past year that may continue to shape the trajectory of international events and trends in the future. Also, where's the world heading in 2025, both economically and politically? Will the world become more deglobalized? To find out, host Tu Yun joins Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Dr. Qu Qiang, Fellow, Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China, and Mike Bastin, China observer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton, on this episode of Chat Lounge.

China's embattled housing market has shown signs of positive momentum as a growing number of major cities reported increases in home prices and transaction volumes, some for the first time in more than 18 months. Does this mean the Chinese property sector has begun to bottom out and reverse its slumping trend? What internal and external risks are ahead? How may the authorities deal with the situation if things fall short of expectations? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University in the United States, Professor Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Chinese business confidence in the European Union has declined for a fifth year to a new low. What have the companies gone through in the once highly regarded fair and open market? An EU business leader in China has warned that a China-Europe trade war is unavoidable based on current trends. How likely is that to happen? If quitting each other's market is the least desirable option, what's the way out? Host Tu Yun joins Liang Linlin, Director of Communication and Research, China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union, Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow, Center for China and Globalization, and Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.