ChinaTalk

In this discussion, Suji Yan, CEO of Dimension and co-author of the Anti-996 License, and Katt Gu, J.D. and PhD candidate in informatics, delve into the harsh realities of China's 996 work culture. They reveal how they mobilized tech workers against labor exploitation through innovative licensing that emphasizes ethical labor practices. Their insights touch on the evolving Chinese tech landscape and the importance of open-source software in fostering a fairer work environment, as they advocate for standardized labor rights in the industry.

James Griffiths, a senior producer for CNN International and author of "The Great Firewall of China," dives deep into China's internet evolution. He reflects on the hopeful beginnings of online freedom, contrasting them with the current oppressive censorship landscape. Griffiths shares insights on Western tech companies' ethical dilemmas in China and the global impact of the Great Firewall. The discussion also unfolds the innovative tactics of Chinese netizens resisting censorship and explores the stark differences between Chinese and Russian media propaganda.

Chris Beddor, a columnist for Reuters Breakingviews, shares his insights on China’s Two Sessions, shedding light on crucial topics like state-owned enterprise reform and its impact on GDP and employment. The discussion reveals the shifting focus from aggressive growth targets to employment stability. Beddor humorously navigates the complexities of U.S.-China trade tensions and critiques China's industrial strategies, including 'Made in China 2025.' Expect engaging reflections on the evolving economic landscape and the role of innovation amidst geopolitical challenges.

In this conversation, Russ Roberts, a research fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution and host of EconTalk, shares his insights on the art of engaging podcast interviews. He discusses the balance between preparation and flow, and the importance of making guests feel at ease. They reflect on memorable guests like Milton Friedman and Christopher Hitchens while highlighting the emotional depth podcasts can achieve. Russ also touches on the evolving role of economists in tech and his journey from skepticism to gratitude for his podcasting career.

“The champagne days are over,” writes Dan Harris, reflecting on how the tone of his China Law Blog has evolved since its creation in 2006. As the founder of Harris Bricken, an international law firm with a major China presence, Dan has a unique window into how macro changes in China’s economy and trade relations play out within a law firm. In this conversation, Jordan and Dan discuss common misconceptions about the law in China; memorable Chinese legal scams; joint ventures in China; day-to-day operations of an international law firm in the country; intellectual property cases and enforcement within the Chinese legal system on the mainland. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s guest on ChinaEconTalk is Ryan Hass, a David M. Rubenstein Fellow in the Brookings Institution’s Foreign Policy program, who is jointly appointed to the John L. Thornton China Center and the Center for East Asia Policy Studies. From 2013 to 2017, he served as the director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia at the National Security Council (NSC) during President Obama’s second term. Ryan offers reflections on his time at the NSC; the diplomatic strategies and objectives regarding U.S.-China relations during his time in the White House; elaboration on an article he co-authored at Brookings titled “Assessing U.S.-China relations 2 years into the Trump presidency”; and thoughts on the trajectory of the bilateral relationship under the current administration. Check out our newsletter at www.chinaecontalk.substack.com. Also, join the fan club and rate ChinaEconTalk on iTunes! Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, nearly half of the top 100 apps in India's Google Play store are made by Chinese companies. After past failures to enter the Indian tech market, what's driving China tech's sudden success on the subcontinent? How have new Chinese companies like Bytedance and Xiaomi been able to localize more successfully than the likes of Tencent in the early 2010s? And just how seriously do Chinese firms take issues like child porn and fake news in India? To explore these topics, we spoke with Shadma Shaikh, a writer at Factor Daily. She and Jordan examine the multiple different aspects of China’s growing presence in India’s technology space. They also discuss the successes and failures of Chinese tech companies in India, the strategies that helped those companies find success, and the unique features of Indian culture (such as multiple languages), which have created difficulties for Western and Chinese tech companies that are eager to gain access to the Indian tech market.   ChinaEconTalk is open for sponsorships! Reach out on Twitter or LinkedIn for opportunities to connect with over 2,000 listeners who are passionate about China’s economy. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did the U.S.-China economic relationship evolve during the Obama administration? Are the economic tensions we see today between the two countries a product of inevitable forces, or more contingent on the choices of the Trump and Xi administrations? To discuss these topics and more, we have on today’s show Caroline Atkinson, who served as President Barack Obama’s deputy national security adviser for international economics. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does autocratic repression impact societies? Can the legacy of political repression ripple out across centuries, creating a vicious autocratic cycle? Today, on ChinaEconTalk, we're going back to the Qing dynasty — the time of the Qianlong Emperor, and before — to find out. Our guest is Melanie Meng Xue, a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Economics and the Center for Economic History at Northwestern University, whose recent paper on the topic can be found here. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The U.S.-China equilibrium of the past 20 years has gone,” declares Gordon Orr in his recent piece on what to expect in China in 2019. So what will replace it? What impact will the increasingly activist Chinese government have on the broader economy? And what broader reflections does a 30-year China veteran have about recent changes in China? Orr is currently a director emeritus at McKinsey, having previously helped open the firm’s Beijing office and led its Greater China practice. He is also a board member of Lenovo and Meituan Dianping. Check out the new ChinaEconTalk newsletter here. Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices