China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute's China Center, hosted by Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world’s future.
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In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers remarks given by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, and what his statements reveal about the current objectives of US defense strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Next, Miles reviews China’s decision to impose significant penalties on several brokerage firms over alleged trading infractions, and how this move fits into China’s global economic coercion apparatus. Finally, Miles unpacks KMT Chairwoman ...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the moratorium of US weapon sales to Taiwan as part of a $14 billion package approved by Congress, and how the decision impacts cross-strait relations. Next, Miles covers the bilateral dialogue held between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping and assesses the outcomes and joint statement issued by both leaders following the summit. Finally, Miles discusses the tragic mining disaster at the Liushengyu mine in Shanxi Province, and anal...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the two-day summit held in Beijing between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping. The discussion covers the strategic objectives and red lines negotiated by both leaders during the summit, and breaks down the various outcomes on key issues covered in the bilateral meetings related to the US-China trade relationship, the Iran War and conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, and US policy toward Taiwan including pending arms sales. Lastly, Miles provi...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the sentencing of former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, and how the rulings fit into the larger pattern of Xi Jinping’s ongoing purge campaign. Next, Miles unpacks what is at stake in the upcoming Trump-Xi summit, including key strategic priorities and points of contention for both sides. Finally, Miles reviews the current views held among the Chinese people related to Trump’s visit, and general sentiment toward US bilater...
In this week’s episode of China Insider , Miles Yu discusses the state of press freedom and media rights in China in the wake of the 2026 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, where China ranked 178th out of 180 countries. Next, Miles covers the CCP’s latest attempt to address the issue of youth disenfranchisement, claiming foreign intelligence operations are behind the popular Lying-Flat movement. Finally, Miles breaks down the fallout following KMT Leader Cheng Li-wun’s visit to...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses the latest sanctions from the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Controls targeting Chinese shadow fleet vessels involved in illicit Iranian oil transports, and the role these measures play in the larger scope of Economic Fury. Next, Miles examines Japan's participation in the Balikatan joint training military exercise, along with the U.S. and Philippines, and the larger implications of Japan's increased involvement in b...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses Xi Jinping’s campaign for the sinicization of religion by the CCP and the increased repression of religious freedom in China, ten years later. Next, Miles reviews the latest updates from the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and how this maritime operation impacts PLA strategic calculus and potential future engagements involving Taiwan. Finally, Miles covers recent comments from Chinese real estate tycoon, Pan Shiyi, calling C...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews China’s planned peace offensive toward Taiwan ahead of the Trump-Xi Summit, and how this strategy may impact talks between the two countries’ leaders. Next, Miles dives into the latest developments from the US-Iran war and discusses how nearly six weeks of conflict have affected China’s approach to international affairs. Finally, we observe the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 and review the importance of the landmark ...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews new policies enacted by China’s Education Ministry aimed at reducing excess stress and pressure among primary and secondary school students. Next, Miles looks into China’s campaign of transnational repression and coercion against human rights advocates and legal experts with familial ties to members of ethnic minority groups living in China. Finally, Miles discusses the recent political purge of Politburo member and former Xinjiang chief,...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews Xi Jinping’s fourth visit to the Xiong’an New Area development project and details his plans for the “city of the future” including its domestic reception. Next, Miles explores the impact of US military operations in the Middle East on cross-strait relations, and addresses concerns over how a potential prolonged engagement will influence the US commitment to Taiwan. Finally, Miles covers the extensive espionage, technology transfer, and n...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the widespread scale of Xi Jinping’s purges in recent weeks that extends to include China's leading weapons experts and defense science officials, and the impact these removals have on PLA military operations. Next, Miles covers the CCP’s ongoing global influence campaign against western nations on the individual level, and explores how independent proxies can unknowingly further party messaging in key decision-making forums. Finally, Mil...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews China’s western hemisphere influence in the context of Cuba, and the importance of Cuba to China’s global strategy. Next, Miles discusses China’s potential role in the ongoing Strait of Hormuz standoff and the impact of shipping restrictions on the Chinese economy. Finally, Miles covers the Paris summit between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng, as a prelude to the Trump-Xi summit and the possibility o...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews China’s Two Sessions, and what to look forward to over the coming days of China’s largest annual political meetings. Next, Miles takes a closer look at China’s security and weapons exports to Iran and provides a quality assessment of Chinese weapon systems. Lastly, Miles examines China’s response to joint military action from the US and Israel in the wake of the conflict in Iran, and how much of China’s restrained response reflects the re...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu analyzes the wider impact of Operation Epic Fury in the context of US-China relations, and how the joint operation changes China’s calculated approach to extending their influence in the Middle East. Second, Miles covers the Trump Administration’s efforts to counter PRC influence via multilateral forums and hemispheric diplomacy in the upcoming Shields of the Americas summit. Finally, Miles weighs in on the “regime change” debate, and the role of...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the 2026 winter Olympic games in the context of the ongoing US-China diplomatic rivalry and larger geopolitical implications of the games. Next, Miles unpacks the recent US Supreme Court ruling on US trade tariff policy, and how this might shift the landscape in bilateral trade negotiations between the US and China. Finally, we observe the Chinese lunar new year and Miles reviews what challenges lie ahead for the CCP regime in the year of ...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the recent video call held between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin to strengthen Beijing-Moscow ties and examines the current state of bilateral relations. Next, Miles provides analysis of China’s evolving clean energy sector and the importance of the EV market and other clean technologies to China’s GDP growth and economic trajectory. Finally, Miles reviews China’s increasing domestic economic struggles, as efforts to address rising youth u...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the increase of PLA naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal in response to US-Philippine joint military exercises, and what this development indicates about China’s evolving maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Second, Miles unpacks the decision by the Chinese Football Association to issue 73 lifetime bans to coaches and players for match fixing and details the larger network of corruption across professional sports in China. Fina...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the recent CCP investigations into the vice chair of China’s Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, and the chief of staff of the commission’s Joint Staff Department, Liu Zhenli, and what these purges mean for PLA operations and effectiveness. Next, Miles reviews the authorization of President Trump’s Board of Peace, the international actors that have joined so far, and the significance of the board to China. Finally, Miles unpacks Chi...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu breaks down China’s arctic strategy and regional ambition despite its geographic inconsistency as a non-arctic state, and how this relates to US security interests in Greenland. Second, Miles covers the recent trade agreement between the US and Taiwan following months of negotiations, the terms involved, and the significance of this deal for the semiconductor and AI sectors. Finally, Miles reviews Prime Minister Mark Carney’s state visit to Beiji...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu analyzes China’s repositioning toward Iran and Venezuela, and how recent geopolitical developments in each country shift China’s strategic economic and political interests. Next, Miles examines the US response to China’s shifting global strategy under the new National Security Strategy, and details potential future actions to deter Chinese interests around the world. Finally, Miles reviews the Monroe Doctrine and how some analysts might misread k...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US special operations forces, and details China’s response to the operation including the impact this will have on China-Venezuela oil deals. Next, Miles breaks down the PLA’s the recent Justice Mission 2025 military exercise, and what this means for the continued multilateral defense of Taiwan against mainland incursion. Finally, Miles unpacks Japan’s cabinet approval for a record spendi...
Miles Yu discusses Canon's closure of a major printer facility in China, highlighting the impact of foreign company withdrawal due to market competition and regulatory challenges. He also details the US Navy's interception of a Chinese cargo ship carrying dual-use goods for Iran, revealing China's covert support for global destabilization efforts. Finally, the episode analyzes how the CCP's anti-Japanese propaganda has failed to sway public opinion and strengthen Japan's international standing.
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the new 2025 National Security Strategy document released by the White House, highlighting key elements involving the shifted focus to Indo-Pacific defense initiatives with attention to China and Taiwan. Next, Miles covers China’s latest episode of anti-Japanese sentiment during a cultural festival in Shanghai, and how this rising xenophobic trend has backfired for the Chinese Communist Party. Finally, Miles responds to the Chinese Commun...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the recent call between President Trump and Xi Jinping on the topic of Taiwan, highlighting the importance of narrative dominance in the information warfare domain in cross-strait relations. Next, Miles looks into the catastrophic five alarm fire in Hong Kong last week that resulted in at least 128 casualties, and the latest updates from the official investigation into what caused the apartment complex fire. Finally, Miles reviews Taiwan’s...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu goes solo. First, he examines Tesla’s announcement that it will eliminate all China-sourced components from vehicles manufactured in the United States within the next two years. This marks a monumental shift in the company’s supply chain and signals a broader decoupling of key US industries from longstanding Chinese chokeholds and security vulnerabilities. Second, Miles revisits the 2015 purchase of the US insurance firm Wright USA, which special...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu tracks the backlash over statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Japan's defense policy regarding Taiwan, and what motivates Beijing's unique outrage. Second, Miles follows up on the KMT party elections last month in Taiwan where former KMT lawmaker Cheng Li-wun took over party leadership, and unpacks what this means for the KMT party platform moving forward. Lastly, Miles comments on recent political analysis from the New Yo...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang's recent trip to Beijing amidst the US government investigation into the company's potentially illicit sales to China in violation of US export regulations. Next, Miles provides detailed analysis on the PLA Navy's CNS Fujian - China's latest aircraft carrier to enter fleet service - and what this means for China's naval warfare operational capacity and blue water capabilities. Finally, Miles reviews Taiwan Vice Pres...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the Chinese Communist Party’s fourth plenum, including the newly announced five-year development plan and appointment of Zhang Shengmin as the new Vice Chair of the Central Military Commission. Next, Miles covers the latest developments from the ASEAN summit in Malaysia including the US-China trade deal framework, and previews the upcoming APEC summit as President Trump plans to meet with Xi Jinping in South Korea. Finally, Miles circles ...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the recent mass-purge of nine high-level PLA military officials and Politburo members, and the impact of Xi Jinping's continued military centralization on the PLA's warfighting capabilities. Next, Miles details the life and career of Nobel Prize winning physicist, Dr. Chen Ning Yang, and the formative role he played in support of the CCP's United Front strategy. Finally, Miles covers the latest dialogue following China's announced export ...
In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses China's recent announcement expanding export controls to further restrict foreign access to rare earth elements, and the larger impetus behind Beijing's enhanced export policy. Next, Miles unpacks the CCP's latest political warfare tactic to coerce the UK government and begin construction on the new Chinese embassy in London. Finally, Miles comments on Taiwan's 114th National Day celebrations, and reviews President Lai's comments on his...
