The Prince

Xi Jinping is the most powerful person in the world. But the real story of China's leader remains a mystery. In this eight-part series Sue-Lin Wong finds out how he rose to the top, and what it means for China—and the rest of the world—now that he has ripped up the rule book to stay in power, perhaps for the rest of his life.

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Episodes

Trailer: Boss Class Season 3

AI is changing how we work. It's turning us all into managers. Be a good one. The Economist ’s management columnist, Andrew Palmer, takes on the bots in the third season of Boss Class. From cloning to coding, agents to entry-level jobs, he tackles the threat head on and figures out how to turn anxiety into opportunity. Along the way he meets bulls and bears and the people who can help you to master management in the age of AI. Full Season 3 out 29th January 2026. To listen to the full series, su...

Jan 26, 2026•2 min

Trailer: Boss Class Season 2

Good bosses are rare. They don’t have to be. The skills of management can be learned. The Economist ’s management columnist, Andrew Palmer, is here to help. The second season of Boss Class features leaders at some of the world’s best performing companies, from Levi’s to Novo Nordisk to Google. New episodes are out weekly starting May 12th. To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus If you’re already a subscriber to The Econom...

Apr 30, 2025•2 min

Trailer: Scam Inc

A sophisticated, predatory, multi-billion dollar industry is emerging from the shadows. It already rivals the size of the illicit drug trade. And it’s about to get bigger and much more powerful. The Economist ’s Sue-Lin Wong follows a trail that starts with the collapse of a bank in rural Kansas to uncover a global, underground scam economy built around human trafficking, corruption and money laundering. Can it be stopped? To listen to the full series subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ . Hosted on...

Jan 23, 2025•4 min

Trailer: Boom!

How did two old, unpopular men end up running for the world's most demanding job? It’s the question John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor, gets asked the most. And the answer lies in the peculiar politics of the baby boomers. Since 1992, every American president bar one has been a white man born in the 1940s. That run looks likely to span 36 years - not far off the age of the median American. This cohort was born with aces in their pockets. Their parents defeated Nazism and won the cold war. ...

Jul 01, 2024•4 min

Trailer: The Modi Raj

Narendra Modi is one of the most popular politicians on the planet. India’s prime minister is eyeing a third term atop the world’s biggest democracy. A tea-seller’s son, Mr Modi began life an outsider. The man behind the political phenomenon remains hard to fathom. India has become an economic powerhouse during his ten years in charge. But he’s also the frontman for a chauvinistic Hindu nationalist dogma. Can Mr Modi continue to balance both parts of his agenda and finish the job of turning Indi...

May 28, 2024•5 min

Hide and bide

Delve into the formative years of Xi Jinping, starting with his less prominent status compared to his celebrity wife and his unusual university education during the Cultural Revolution. The episode chronicles his time as a military secretary and a provincial official in Fujian, where he navigated a massive smuggling and corruption scandal orchestrated by Lai Changxing. It highlights how Xi maintained a clean image amidst widespread graft, learning to 'hide strengths and bide time' before ultimately being anointed as Hu Jintao's successor, with ambitious plans for China's future.

Sep 28, 2022•36 min•Ep. 2

Redder than red

This episode delves into the early life of Xi Jinping, exploring his privileged but tumultuous childhood as a "princeling" in China's elite. It details his family's fall from grace during Mao's purges and the Cultural Revolution, which profoundly shaped his worldview. The narrative contrasts Xi's decision to embrace the Communist Party despite his suffering with others who became disillusioned, hinting at his strategy to survive and thrive within the system.

Sep 28, 2022•36 min•Ep. 1

Introducing The Prince

Xi Jinping is the most powerful person in the world. But the real story of China’s leader remains a mystery. The Economist ’s Sue-Lin Wong finds out how he rose to the top in a new podcast series launching on September 28th. For more China coverage, subscribe to The Economist and find a special offer at economist.com/chinapod . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 07, 2022•3 min

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