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 co...
Jan 24, 2025•55 min
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, c...
Jan 17, 2025•55 min
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 C...
Jan 10, 2025•55 min
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 Mik...
Dec 27, 2024•55 min
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, W...
Dec 20, 2024•55 min
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 Comme...
Dec 13, 2024•55 min
China's decision to expand access to foreign investors in hospitals has become a hot topic for global healthcare providers. While welcoming the increased openness, they also have concerns. What contributes to a wait-and-see attitude among investors before they commit their resources to the Chinese market? Among the cities eligible for investment in wholly foreign-owned hospitals, which one may be most favored by investors? And can China gain a foothold in global medical tourism? Host Tu Yun join...
Dec 06, 2024•55 min
The shaky world economy is set to face another wave of turbulence. American President-elect Donald Trump has pledged new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, the top three U.S. trade partners. Are Trump's tariff threats bargaining chips to push for favorable deals? Does the world have to go through what happened during Trump's first term all over again? Who could be the next target of Trump's tariff threats? And how can businesses and governments adapt to mitigate the negative impacts of these ...
Nov 29, 2024•55 min
Leaders of the G20 gathered in Rio de Janeiro this week to address global challenges and promote inclusive growth. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the meeting, called for building a just world of common development, and outlined China’s actions in this area. What outcomes did the leaders accomplish? How can the G20 help developing nations eradicate poverty and foster common prosperity? What is China’s role in this? Host Xu Yawen joins Prof. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research ...
Nov 22, 2024•55 min
China has announced a new debt relief package - a total of 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion dollars) – to ease the financial burden on local governments. The decision raises the ceiling on local government debt by 6 trillion yuan (about $840 billion), and local governments will have access to a separate 4 trillion yuan (about $560 billion) quota in the form of special local bonds over five years. How does the debt relief package work? What are the long-term implications for China’s fiscal health ...
Nov 15, 2024•51 min
In this special episode of Chat Lounge, we examine the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, to review its path toward inclusive cooperation and explore how it can drive growth in the Global South. Peru will host the annual APEC summit from November 10th to 16th this year under the theme "Empower, Include, Grow." What key issues will be discussed at the summit? What business opportunities can China and Latin American countries explore to support growth in the Global South? And how can comm...
Nov 07, 2024•55 min
The United States is gearing up its propaganda against China. The US government and media are hyping the idea that Beijing is enhancing espionage and hacking operations in the West. The US also plans to set up a 1.6-billion-dollar fund to counter what it calls China's "malignant" influence worldwide, particularly in the Belt and Road countries. Will these schemes generate the desired effects? Is China destined to lose this propaganda campaign? Host Tu Yun joins Professor Joseph Siracusa, Dean of...
Nov 01, 2024•55 min
It’s a battle that DJI must fight. The world’s largest drone maker has taken the U.S. Defense Department to court. It says the Pentagon labeling it as a Chinese military company and thus a national security threat to the U.S. is stigmatization and has caused financial losses to the company. Is Washington’s move another ploy to take over foreign advanced technologies or tech companies for itself? How big are DJI’s chances at winning? What chain effects will it cause if DJI loses the case? And wha...
Oct 25, 2024•55 min
The BRICS Summit will convene in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24. It will mark the bloc’s first meeting in its newly expanded configuration. The Kazan summit will focus on strengthening multilateralism, equitable global development, and enhancing security while exploring ways to deepen cooperation between BRICS nations and countries from the Global South. With over 30 nations applying to join the bloc, why are more developing countries seeking BRICS membership? How will this expanded platfo...
Oct 18, 2024•54 min
The European Commission has voted to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. China’s Commerce Ministry has strongly opposed the EU action, noting that the industry did not request the anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs. Some EU member states and their auto industries also strongly oppose the tariffs. Is this proposal driven by genuine economic competition or by political considerations? How will the tariffs affect competition in the European EV market and change Chinese EV makers’ global s...
Oct 11, 2024•53 min
From a country struggling with limited scientific infrastructure, cultural transformation, and widespread public health challenges to a front-runner in innovation, cultural revitalization and healthcare, China's pursuit of modern prosperity in these fields has enabled its people to experience unprecedented advancements in quality of life over the past 75 years. What sparked this profound evolution? What were the most critical achievements in this process? And what priorities should China focus o...
Oct 03, 2024•55 min
From an underachiever in environmental protection to a global leader in climate action, China's journey towards eco-friendliness over the past 75 years has been winding but steady and adamant. What triggered the transformation? What has enabled the country to emerge from smog, polluted water, and degraded land in its cities and some rural areas in just a few decades? And what goals should China prioritize to ensure sustainable development in the future? Host Tu Yun is joined by Dr. Erik Solheim,...
Sep 27, 2024•55 min
China’s education system has seen remarkable transformation over the past seven decades. Official data reveals that the average years of schooling for Chinese people has surged to 11 years, a significant jump from just 1.6 years back in 1949. So, how did China manage to build the world’s largest education system? What key reforms have helped this populous nation shift from quantity to quality in terms of human resources? And now, as socialism with Chinese characteristics enters a new era, how sh...
Sep 20, 2024•55 min
From determining economic and social development strategies to formulating defense budgets and legal framework, China's unique domestic governing system has ensured a steady and fruitful voyage of the nation over the past 75 years. Unlike what's described as a rubber stamp by the Western media, the People's Congress plays a pivotal role in the management of domestic affairs by the Chinese government, which has been found to be the world's most trusted government by Western research institutes in...
Sep 13, 2024•55 min
From proposing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to championing a community with a shared future for mankind, China has transformed from an isolated nation in the early days of the People's Republic to a key player shaping international relations. What milestone events have had or are expected to have far-reaching implications in China's diplomatic history? How come it was China that successfully helped broker historic accords between rivals for decades in the Middle East? And how may ...
Sep 06, 2024•55 min
From one of the least developed countries in the world to a significant driving force for global growth, China's phenomenal economic transformation has sparked not only acclaim, but also suspicion. How has the nation made the achievements once thought impossible? What game-changing measures did China take every time others predicted the economy would collapse? And as China faces another turning point in its economic development, what is the biggest challenge in making a smooth transition towards...
Aug 30, 2024•55 min
Chinese and African leaders will meet in Beijing next week for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. What progress has been made in Sino-Africa economic and trade since the last FOCAC summit? How is China’s trade with the continent driving Africa’s high-level industrialization? What opportunities and challenges lie ahead? In this special episode of Chat Lounge, host Xu Yawen joins Gao Junya, a reporter and former correspondent with CGTN Radio in Zimbabwe, Jainaba Sonko, a news presenter and rep...
Aug 30, 2024•48 min
Germany's investment in China has hit a record high despite the German government's strategy to "de-risk" from the Chinese economy. What does the continued growth of German investment in China tell us? Will the momentum risk being interrupted by any external force? And will German companies' soaring investment in China serve as a reference for investors from other countries? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Hans-peter Burghof, a professor and the Chair of the Banking and Finance Department at the Universit...
Aug 23, 2024•55 min
Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer, has developed new business expansion plans in China. The scenario seems contrary to reports that Foxconn is accelerating its exit from China. What prompted the move? What's the implication of Foxconn's new business plan at a time when China steps up efforts to attract foreign investment? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Zhiguo He, the James Irvin Miller Professor of Finance at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Dr. Qu Qiang,...
Aug 16, 2024•55 min
Apple is inflaming tensions on the world's largest smartphone market. The US mobile phone maker is pressing Chinese tech firms Tencent and ByteDance to eliminate payment loopholes affecting Apple's fees, or it will reject future updates for the Chinese apps in the Apple app store. What's the background of Apple's warning? How will the wrestling between them pan out? What implications does Apple's monopoly-like behavior have for the Chinese market? Host Tu Yun joins William Lee, the Chief Economi...
Aug 09, 2024•55 min
The World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA, is stepping up efforts to defend its authority. For the first time, WADA will take the US Anti-Doping Agency, also known as USADA, to an independent court for compliance review as the latter is allegedly involved in data breach activities. What signal is WADA trying to send out with this landmark move? If USADA is found in breach of the world anti-doping code, what consequences will it face? And what implications does WADA’s move mean for the global sportin...
Aug 02, 2024•55 min
China's latest reform resolution, which includes over 300 measures, aims to transform the nation into a high-standard socialist market economy by 2035. How will it affect the rest of the world? In this episode on the recent third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Turkish economist Caglar Kuzlukluoglu says that as emerging economies face challenges stabilizing their economies, China’s approach is a valuable model. Wang Dan, Chief Economist at Hang Seng...
Jul 25, 2024•55 min
NATO is again rattling international nerves. This time, China. NATO officials are reportedly deliberating actions to reclaim Chinese-owned infrastructure projects in Europe if, as they claim, a wider conflict with Russia arises. How realistic is NATO's move? What countermeasures may China take if NATO makes the move? And what broader implications does it have for global security and stability? Host Tu Yun joins Harvey Dzodin, a Senior Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Dr. Qu Qian...
Jul 19, 2024•55 min
The United States is again threatening to stop funding the World Anti-Doping Agency. It claims the doping watchdog exercised favoritism in a doping incident involving Chinese swimmers before the Tokyo Olympics. Why did Washington bring up the issue weeks before the Paris Olympics? How may the criminal investigation launched by US authorities affect the Chinese swimming delegation and the World Anti-Doping Agency? And what implications does the growing tendency of U.S. long-arm jurisdiction mean ...
Jul 12, 2024•55 min
OpenAI will no longer be open to China. The U.S. artificial intelligence company's decision to pull out of the Chinese market has sent shockwaves through the industry. What prompted the move? What ripple effects will it generate? Is it good news or bad news for Chinese developers? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Shaoshan Liu, Director of Embodied Intelligence, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Dr. Qu Qiang, a Fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center, Minzu Universi...
Jul 05, 2024•55 min
