

Chat Lounge
China Plus
A place to unpack reactions to major events and hot issues in a casual setting.
Episodes
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May 24, 2024 • 55min
Will China's property market undergo fundamental changes with more affordable housing available?
China's historic steps to boost its embattled property sector have yielded positive initial results. But how long can the happy sentiment be sustained? As the authorities aim to provide more affordable homes, what fundamental changes may occur, and what implications does it mean for the investors?
Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Yan Liang, a Professor of Economics at Willamette University, Dr. Kwan Ok Lee, an Associate Professor and Dean's Chair at the Business School, National University of Singapore 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.

May 17, 2024 • 55min
Has China's stock market lost growth momentum?
China's stock bourses have stopped live feed of foreign fund flow data. What's the motivation behind the move? Major international investment banks like UBS and Goldman Sachs have recommended an overweight position on Chinese stocks. But people also worry the momentum behind the rebound may fade. How sensible is the concern?
Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Liu Baocheng, Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics, William Lee, Chief Economist at U.S.-based Milken Institute, and Chen Jiahe, Chief Investment Officer of Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

May 10, 2024 • 55min
The meeting of Chinese and French cultures
China and France are set to enhance cultural and people-to-people exchanges as they mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties. How did the two countries come together in the first place? Why have the exchanges slowed down? And what challenges do they face in sharing culture?
Host Tu Yun joins Dr Emilie Tran, an Assistant Professor at the School of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China, and Dr. George Tzogopoulos, Director of EU-China Programmes and a Senior Research Fellow at the European Institute of Nice for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

May 3, 2024 • 55min
The implications of Elon Musk’s China trip
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is a step closer to bringing the company’s Full Self-Driving technology to the world’s largest automobile market after a surprise China visit. Is it a “watershed moment” for Tesla? Under what circumstances may FSD get the green light in China? And once it’s approved, how may the ecosystem of the EV sector be reshaped?Host Tu Yun joins Andy Mok, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, William Lee, Chief Economist at U.S.-based Milken Institute, 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.

Apr 26, 2024 • 55min
How far can AI go?
Mind the loopholes in AI technology! A group of leading Chinese and American high-tech firms have collaborated to publish the first global standards on generative artificial intelligence and large language models. This cooperation comes as AI-generated deepfake contents negatively impact things from elections to money transactions in our daily lives. How far can AI go? Does the outlook of the AI sector still look as rosy as people had expected at the beginning?
Host Tu Yun joins Andy Mok, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, William Lee, the Chief Economist of the U.S.-based Milken Institute, and Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director, 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.

Apr 19, 2024 • 55min
How China maintains steady growth despite doomsday narratives -A chat with Justin Yifu Lin
China’s economy has again achieved a better-than-expected performance amid continuous Western doomsday predictions. How has the country shrugged off all the doomsayers and achieved the steady growth it needs over the past few decades? As China faces another turning point in its economic development, can it make a smooth transition towards high-quality development driven by New Quality Productive Forces?
Find out the answers as host Tu Yun has an exclusive interview with former World Bank chief economist Justin Yifu Lin, now Dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics and Dean of the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development at Peking University, on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Apr 12, 2024 • 55min
The way looted Chinese cultural relics come back home
It’s time to find the way back home. A group of German museums are trying to unravel where their Chinese collections originated, as many may have been looted from China’s Imperial Palace over a century ago. Will it pave the way for the repatriation of thousands of looted objects? What obstacles must be overcome before we can see the stolen treasures permanently back on their home soil?
Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Huo Zhengxin, a Professor of Law at China University of Political Science and Law, David Moser, an Associate Professor at Beijing Capital Normal University, and Mike Bastin, a China observer and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Apr 5, 2024 • 55min
France meeting unprecedented challenges to host Olympic Games
France is about to present an Olympic opening ceremony like no other. That means it will face challenges, especially in ensuring safety for more than 300,000 spectators and thousands of others, including the athletes. What would be the most challenging part of the unprecedented security work? Will it become a mission impossible for Paris? How likely is it for the organizers to change the open-air ceremony plan?
For more, host Tu Yun joins Dr. George Tzogopoulos, Director of EU-China Programmes and a Senior Research Fellow at the European Institute of Nice; Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China; And Mike Bastin, China observer and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.

Mar 29, 2024 • 31min
Boao Forum for Asia: How does technology empower the regional economy?
As AI-powered technology plays an increasingly important role in global development, participants at the annual Boao Forum for Asia are discussing how humanity can address common challenges emerging in this process with shared responsibility.
In this special episode of Chat Lounge, host Xu Yawen joins journalist Mahnoor Makhdoom with Daily Mail Pakistan, digital journalist Amirul Sajadi with Malaysian National News Agency, and Australian freelance writer and current affairs commentator Jerry Grey to discuss the role of technology in bolstering regional economic growth and the opportunities and challenges it presents.

Mar 29, 2024 • 55min
Apple’s golden era in China seems to be ending, but will it become the next Nokia?
It was once the epitome of innovation. Last year, for the first time, Apple became the biggest smartphone vendor by shipments in China, with its market share hitting a record high. But only a few weeks into the new year, there are concerns that it’s losing Chinese consumers quickly. What has happened to Apple? How may Apple CEO Tim Cook’s latest China visit help revive China’s appetite for iPhone? And what does Apple need to do to avoid a Nokia moment?
For more, host Tu Yun joins Andy Mok, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, William Lee, the Chief Economist at the U.S.-based Milken Institute, and Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu University of China for a close look at the issue on this episode of Chat Lounge.


