
Chat Lounge
byChina Plus
CommentaryNews
A place to unpack reactions to major events and hot issues in a casual setting.
Episodes(40 episodes)
Europe in turmoil: The social and governance challenges behind the protests
Europe is in turmoil. Different countries, different grievances. Why are so many Europeans frustrated? Could the unrest reshape Europe's future? And what lessons can the rest of the world learn?
Host TU Yun joins Andrew Glencross, Professor of Politics at the Catholic University of Lille in France, Harvey Dzodin, Senior Fellow, Center for China and Globalization, and Dr. Yao Shujie, Cheung Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University to explore what's driving Europe's wave of protests and where it could lead.
Published: Oct 23, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Beyond the car deal: How can China and Europe rebalance trade?
After months of negotiations, China and the EU have reached an understanding on hybrid vehicle trade, averting a further escalation of trade tensions. What exactly does the deal involve, and who stands to benefit?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Prof. Hans-Peter Burghof, Professor and Chair of the Banking and Finance Department at the University of Hohenheim, Germany, and Ms. Liang Linlin, a Brussels-based commentator on China-EU economic and trade relations, to explore the deal’s implications, the challenges that lie ahead, and whether this fi...
Published: Oct 16, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
What Huawei’s Qualcomm deal really means
For the first time, Chinese tech giant Huawei and its US counterpart Qualcomm have reached a patent licensing agreement covering 5G. The deal puts Huawei’s growing patent portfolio and licensing business in the spotlight. What does the deal mean for the two companies? Who is likely to have greater leverage in this particular deal? What are the chances of the deal getting the green light? And what could it mean for the global tech race?
Host TU Yun joins Professor Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also the author of the book The Innovation Machine: How China Cr...
Published: Oct 9, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together
Different economies, different perspectives. Can APEC still find enough common ground to prosper together?
As China hosts APEC this year, leaders will gather in Shenzhen in November under the theme "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together," with a focus on openness, innovation and cooperation.
But can APEC keep economies connected amid rising trade barriers, technological fragmentation and geopolitical tensions? And can it turn dialogue into concrete results?
Host Tu Yun joins Gonzalo Talavera, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Peru in China; Wang Huiyao, Founder and President, Center for China and Globalization; Bert Hofman, Honorary...
Published: Oct 1, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Can young Chinese and Americans rewrite the China-US story?
The China-US relationship is often discussed in terms of trade, technology and geopolitics. But what does it look like through the eyes of young people?
Host Tu Yun is joined by Americans Drew Ruchim, Founder and CMO of the US-based market research company Aditt, and Saor Mahoney, a student from the Communication University of China, as well as Chinese guests Zhang Hongmou, Assistant Professor, School of Government, Peking University, and Yang Sheng, an international relations researcher and social media influencer, former chief reporter of the Global Times to talk about how they see each other, what really matters to their...
Published: Sep 25, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Why German firms ramp up China investment despite Berlin's tougher line
German companies ramped up their China investment by roughly one-third in the first half of 2026, even as Berlin draws up tougher economic measures toward China. Why are German firms stepping up investment in China amid growing political pressure? And what lies ahead for Europe's economic ties with Beijing?
Host Xu Yawen is joined by Dr. Yao Shujie, Cheung Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University; Prof. Hans-Peter Burghof, Professor and Chair of the Banking and Finance Department at the University of Hohenheim, Germany; and Prof. Muhammad Ali Nasir, Visiting Fellow at University of Cambridge, Visiting Professor at Peking University, and Professor...
Published: Sep 18, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Can BRICS reduce financial risk for developing countries?
As BRICS countries look to make greater use of local currencies, the New Development Bank is playing a growing role in this effort. It is helping developing countries finance projects and move money across borders. What's driving the change? How does local-currency lending actually work in practice? And to what extent can it help countries reduce financing and currency risk?
Song Ruixin is joined by Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, Prof. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology, and Prof. Muhammad Ali Nasir, Professor of Economics at...
Published: Sep 11, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
What China's Earth-Moon laser breakthrough means for space exploration
China has successfully demonstrated a two-way laser communication link across more than 400,000 kilometers between Earth and the Moon. How significant is this breakthrough? Why do we need it, and what could it mean for humanity as we begin to explore, work and perhaps one day live beyond Earth?
Host Xu Yawen is joined by Zhang Fan, Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy, Beijing Normal University; Xu Yansong, the Director-General of the Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization; and Dr. Jon Clarke, President, the Mars Society of Australia, and an associate member of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at the University of New...
Published: Sep 4, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Where does China's economy go from here?
China's economy is facing pressure at home and abroad. Growth has slowed, while property, local government debt and weak demand remain challenges. Yet exports and manufacturing continue to show resilience. So, is China's economy really in serious trouble? And with Washington eyeing new tariffs and Brussels tightening scrutiny of Chinese companies, where does Beijing go from here?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University, the United States, Dr. Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, and Dr. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow...
Published: Aug 28, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
The Ice Silk Road: A new route linking China and Europe
The Arctic is opening a new frontier for global shipping. China has launched a seasonal weekly container service linking its eastern port city Ningbo with Europe through the Northeast Passage, cutting shipment times between Asia and Europe by nearly half. But can the Arctic route move beyond a seasonal shortcut to become a major global shipping corridor? And what will it take to overcome the challenges of ice, infrastructure, geopolitics and environmental protection?
Host TU Yun joins LIU Dan, a professor at the Law School, Tong Ji University, Halldór Jóhannsson, the Director of Arctic Portal, an Iceland-based non-profit or...
Published: Aug 21, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Living with risk: What Typhoon Dolphin teaches us about future city resilience
Typhoon Dolphin has brought record-breaking rainfall to parts of eastern and central China, triggering mass evacuations, transport disruptions, and flooding risks. But its impact raises bigger questions about the future of urban resilience.
As China advances efforts to build a global framework for smart city data use, the future of urban resilience is increasingly tied to how cities harness data and technology. Can artificial intelligence and drones transform disaster response from reaction to prediction? How can fast-growing coastal cities adapt to rising climate risks? And what can Typhoon Dolphin reveal about building stronger, more resilient cities?
Host Xu Yawen joins...
Published: Aug 14, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Can the U.S. win the AI race by containing China?
OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are all cutting prices. Coincidence? Or a sign that Chinese AI is changing the game? As Washington weighs tougher restrictions on Chinese AI models, Silicon Valley is sending a very different message, with Nvidia, Microsoft, and others embracing open-weight AI. So can the U.S. still contain China's AI rise? Or has the race already shifted from stopping China to competing with it?
Host TU Yun joins Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also the author of the newly released title The Innovation Machine: How China Creates and Adopts Technology Through Governance, Dr. Warwick...
Published: Aug 7, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Will Louis Vuitton pay a higher price in China?
French luxury brand Louis Vuitton won in court, but is it losing China? A trademark lawsuit against the Chinese tea brand Molly Tea has sparked a nationwide debate over trademark rights, cultural heritage, and brand perception. Was this simply a legal battle, or a costly strategic misstep? As Chinese consumers become more confident and culturally conscious, is the playbook for international luxury brands changing? And could this case reshape the French luxury brand's future in China?
Host Tu Yun joins Jia Yuxuan, a research assistant at the Center for China and Globalization, John Gong, Professor of Economics, University of International...
Published: Jul 31, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
The cost of British Steel nationalization: What comes next?
A Chinese company stepped in to save British Steel when few others would. Six years later, the UK government has stripped it of control. Was this a commercial decision, or another sign that geopolitics is rewriting the rules of global investment? What comes next? Who ultimately stands to pay the biggest price? And what lessons does this case hold for Chinese companies investing overseas? More importantly, could it reshape how China and the rest of the world view cross-border investment amid rising geopolitical tensions?
Host Tu Yun joins John Gong, Professor of Economics, University of International Business and Economics in...
Published: Jul 24, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
From island pilot to national blueprint? Hainan's fossil fuel car phase-out explained
China's southern island province of Hainan is racing toward a bold milestone: ending the sale of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2030. Why is Hainan leading the way? How close is it to reaching its goal? And could its experience become a blueprint for the rest of the country?
Host TU Yun joins Professor Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also the author of the newly released title The Innovation Machine: How China Creates and Adopts Technology Through Governance, Mike Bastin, a China observer and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer...
Published: Jul 17, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
The next phase of Hong Kong's financial evolution
Beijing has unveiled a sweeping new package of measures to strengthen Hong Kong's role as the world's leading offshore renminbi hub and an international financial center. But why now? From expanding Bond Connect and offshore RMB liquidity to developing gold trading and new risk-management tools, are these measures simply deepening Hong Kong's financial markets or redefining its role in the global financial system?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Sean Chang, Academic Assessor, HKU SPACE, the University of Hong Kong, Dr. Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, and Dr. Warwick Powell...
Published: Jul 10, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Working beyond retirement: What does China's new framework for over-age workers mean?
Retirement, is it really the end of the road? China doesn't seem to think so. The country has unveiled its first nationwide rules to protect over-age workers, including eligible foreign employees. Why now? Will the new protections encourage people to work longer, or make employers think twice? And how does China's approach compare with other aging societies?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston, Senior Research Fellow, AustChina Institute (Melbourne), Mr. Bai Xianyue, Partner, Grandall Law Firm Tianjin Office, and Dr. Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics, Peking University to explore what these landmark rules could mean for the future...
Published: Jul 3, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
China’s new FDI playbook goes beyond market access
China has unveiled a new action plan to stabilize and upgrade foreign investment. Is this just another policy update, or does it signal a deeper shift in China's approach to opening up? Why is the focus moving from market access to helping foreign companies thrive after they enter? Which sectors stand to benefit most? And amid global uncertainty and fierce competition for capital, can China remain one of the world's top investment destinations?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director, Institute of American and Oceania Studies, Chinese Academy of International Trade & Economic Cooperation, and Dr. Yao Shujie, Chueng...
Published: Jun 26, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
What could a Chery-Nissan partnership in the UK mean for the global auto industry?
A Chinese carmaker. A Japanese factory. A British production line. Could this be the future of the global auto industry? As Chery considers building vehicles at Nissan's Sunderland plant, we examine whether this is simply a business deal or a sign of a new phase in China's automotive globalization? Why are Chinese carmakers shifting from exporting vehicles to building overseas production networks? How likely is this partnership to move beyond an MoU? And amid political, regulatory, and market uncertainties, could this become a blueprint for China's global expansion or a cautionary tale?
Host Tu Yun joins John Gong, Professor of...
Published: Jun 19, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
A youth triumph that offers hope for Chinese football
They are champions. They are trailblazers. And they're only 12 years old. A group of Chinese youngsters has stunned Europe, becoming the first Asian team to win Italy's prestigious Sigismondi Cup, often called the "Mini World Cup" of youth football. What did these players get right? Is this simply a remarkable youth football story? What lessons can China's football system learn? And can this generation finally help China return to the World Cup stage?
Host TU Yun joins Dr. Liu Tianbiao, Professor at the College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Mike Bastin, a China observer and senior lecturer...
Published: Jun 12, 2026Duration: 54m 55s