The US-China Podcast

In 2023, U.S. border officials arrested over 37,000 Chinese nationals at the southern border, ten times as many as the previous year. The trend is so pronounced that “walking the line” (走线), as the journey from Central/South America to the U.S. southern border is known on Chinese social media, has become a buzzword in Chinese society. The resulting influx of Chinese migrants into the United States has drawn the attention of mainstream U.S. media, prompting calls for policymakers to act. The Department of Homeland Security announced on July 2, 2024, that it had sent 116 Chinese migrants back to China from the United States in the first “large charter flight” in five years, and will continue to work with China on future removal flights.    In a conversation moderated by Meredith Oyen on August 13, 2024, Gil Guerra and Leland Lazarus shared information about the issues surrounding current Chinese migrants and discussed the U.S. policy responses.  About the speakers: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/chinese-migrants-at-the-border/  Follow Gil Guerra on X: @gildeguerra Follow Leland Lazarus on X: @LelandLazarus Follow Meredith Oyen on X: @MeredithOyen Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In this conversation, Peter Hessler, a former teacher in China, shares his firsthand insights on the dramatic evolution of China's education system since the 1990s. He reflects on how socio-economic changes have transformed student demographics and aspirations, moving from first-generation college students to a more ambitious, only-child cohort. Hessler also contrasts education in China and the U.S., discussing the complexities of navigating identity and cultural influences through the lens of his own teaching experiences and personal anecdotes.

Arriving in China more than thirty years ago with nothing more than an interest in Chinese culture and philosophy, David Moser ended up witnessing China’s monumental evolution from a country just discovering Coca Cola to a wealthy, worldly, and confident nation. His experiences in China inspired his enthusiasm for cultural exchange, the importance of curiosity, and the necessity of dialogue to grow greater understanding of the country he calls home. In an interview recorded on July 5, 2024, David Moser joins the National Committee to discuss his insights into Chinese culture and the importance of engaging with each other through shared humanity.

China's upcoming Third Plenum holds significant implications for its economic strategy over the next five years. The delay of this meeting highlights ongoing challenges like an aging population and rising youth unemployment. Experts discuss the balance between state policies and private enterprises, and how this affects investor confidence. US executives are eager to understand China's shifting economic landscape, particularly amidst growing trade tensions. The debate on technological innovation and state intervention serves as a critical backdrop for China’s future economic relations.

In May 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB264 (23R) into law, prohibiting Chinese nationals and those from some other countries from purchasing homes and other real estate in Florida. Republican state officials say the law is necessary to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Lawmakers in several states, including Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama, are considering similar restrictions on Chinese citizens owning property. Is the concern that propelled the law legitimate? How does it affect immigration from China? What are some potential consequences for Chinese citizens residing in the United States? What is the impact on the bilateral relationship? On June 26, 2024, Elizabeth Plantan discussed the impact of Florida’s property law and other state-level laws aimed to restrict Chinese property ownership in the U.S. with Matthew Erie and Mae M. Ngai. About the speakers Follow Matthew Erie on X: @MatthewErie Follow Elizabeth Plantan on X: @Enplantan Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

Exploring China's rise in global prominence, their ambitious goals for national rejuvenation, and their initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. The podcast also delves into the complaints from the US and China about each other's actions, as well as international perceptions of China's global ambitions. Lastly, it discusses US responses to China's influence under the Trump and Biden administrations.

Clark Packard, an expert on international trade, dives into the complexities of U.S.-China economic relations. He discusses the motivations behind America’s push to decouple, focusing on national security concerns like cyber threats and intellectual property issues. Packard also highlights the potential economic repercussions for everyday Americans, such as rising prices and impacts on farmers. Additionally, he argues that while reducing trade is feasible, a complete decoupling may be unrealistic, shedding light on the intertwined fates of these two global giants.

Angela Zhang, an authority on Chinese tech regulation and author of "The High Wire," shares her insights on China's complex regulatory landscape. She discusses how antitrust enforcement has impacted major companies like Alibaba and led to unintended market consequences. The conversation also touches on China's approach to regulating AI, balancing technological growth with content control. Additionally, Zhang explores the strategic shifts in investments influenced by these regulations, particularly as China aims to rival the U.S. in innovation.

There is wide bipartisan agreement that Asia belongs at the center of U.S. foreign policy. What has been achieved since the Obama administration announced its “Pivot to Asia” in 2011?  Robert Blackwill and Richard Fontaine argue in Lost Decade: The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power that although the pivot made strategic sense, there have been few successes; furthermore, we need a far more coherent approach to the Indo-Pacific region.  The authors stress that American policymakers must fully understand what the pivot to Asia aimed to achieve – and where it fell short – to gather the resources and forge the alliances and resolve necessary to preserve an open order in Asia and the world. Crafting an effective policy for the region is critical to preserving American security, prosperity, and democratic values. In an interview conducted on May 14, 2024, Ambassador Robert D. Blackwill and Richard Fontaine discuss the recent shift to Asia-centric geopolitics and its implications for America’s present and future. About the speakers Follow Richard Fontaine on X: @RHFontaine Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).

In the wake of Xi Jinping’s first visit to Europe in five years, the European Union and China continue to navigate an increasingly challenging period in relations. Concerns over growing trade imbalances, unfair subsidies in key industries, high-profile espionage cases, and China’s continued support for Russia and its war on Ukraine place increasing strain on this pivotal relationship. At the same time, economic interconnectivity and shared concerns over transnational issues like climate change and AI governance compel coordination and cooperation. President Xi’s recent visits to France, Hungary, and Serbia have underscored the divisions within the European Union regarding China policy, leaving the path forward uncertain. At this critical juncture, on May 15, 2024, Jason Kelly sat down with Noah Barkin and Janka Oertel to unpack recent developments, key issues, and the road ahead for China and the European Union.   About the speakers About the speaker: https://www.ncuscr.org/event/europe-china-relations/ Follow Noah Barkin on X: @noahbarkin Follow Janka Oertel on X: @oertel_janka Subscribe to the National Committee on YouTube for video of this interview. Follow us on Twitter (@ncuscr) and Instagram (@ncuscr).