Chat Lounge

Chat Lounge

byChina Plus

CommentaryNews

A place to unpack reactions to major events and hot issues in a casual setting.

Episodes(40 episodes)

China expands access to public services for non-Hukou residents
China has unveiled a landmark reform that could affect hundreds of millions of migrant workers and their families. Supporters say it's a breakthrough for fairness and opportunity. Critics wonder whether cities can afford it and whether implementation will match ambition. Could this unleash new consumer spending and housing demand? Will China's biggest cities become even more attractive? And what happens to smaller cities if talent and people keep flowing away? Host TU Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston, Senior Research Fellow, AustChina Institute (Melbourne), Dr. Yao Shujie, Cheung Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University, and Dr. Muhammad Ali Nasir, Professor of...
Published: Jun 5, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
China tightens crackdown on illegal cross-border brokerage activities
China's securities regulator has launched a major crackdown on illegal cross-border securities activities, targeting online brokerages operating outside the country's regulatory framework. Why is Beijing acting now after years of scrutiny? What risks are regulators trying to contain? And does this signal a new era of stronger oversight in China's financial markets? Host Tu Yun joins Professor Hans-Peter Burghof, the Chair of the Banking and Finance Department, University of Hohenheim, Germany, Professor Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of the...
Published: May 29, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Is Europe's de-Sinicization push about security or economic self-harm?
From new supply chain rules and punitive tariffs to restrictions on Chinese technology in Europe's green transition, Brussels is taking increasingly aggressive steps to reduce dependence on China. But is the EU strengthening its economic security or undermining its own competitiveness? Can Europe really replace China's industrial ecosystem? Will these measures protect European industries, or will they raise costs for businesses and consumers alike? And as tensions rise, how might Beijing respond? Host Tu Yun joins LIANG Linlin, the Director of Communication and Research at the China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union, Dr. John Glen, Chief Economist at...
Published: May 22, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
New start for easing China-U.S. tech tensions or just a brief pause?
As U.S. President Donald Trump has returned to China, are Beijing and Washington heading toward a tech thaw or merely pausing before tensions further escalate? From chips and AI to EVs, robotics, and space technology, host Tu Yun joins Professor Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also a senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Josef Mahoney, Professor of Politics and International Relations, East China Normal University, and Dr. Haolan Wang, a research associate at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis to explore the key battlegrounds and the areas of cooperation...
Published: May 16, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Ports, power and risk: Landbridge's Darwin Port fight tests future of global investment rules
Chinese company Landbridge is fighting to hold on to Darwin Port after Australia said it may reclaim the lease. Landbridge has launched arbitration at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, potentially the first investor–state case the Australian government will face at the World Bank body. Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director, Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade & Economic Cooperation, and Dr. Edward Lehman, Founder & Managing Director, Lehman, Lee & Xu to break down how a routine commercial deal turned into a na...
Published: May 8, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
What DeepSeek V4 signals for the global AI race beyond computing
China's DeepSeek AI startup has unveiled its latest model, reportedly at just a fraction of the cost of comparable U.S. systems. Could that price edge help it win over users? Reports say the launch was delayed to align with Chinese-made chips, marking a shift toward domestic hardware. Is that trade-off worth it? And after a stark warning from Nvidia's CEO and fresh pressure from Washington, what does this moment mean for DeepSeek's global presence? Host TU Yun joins Thorsten Jelinek, a research fellow at the Hertie School's Center for Digital Governance, Berlin, Germany. He is currently a visiting professor...
Published: May 1, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Beyond the screen: how “film+” tourism and AI redefine moviegoer experience
As the Beijing International Film Festival takes over the city, films are no longer just something we watch in cinemas. They’re connecting tourism, retail, entertainment, and even cutting-edge tech. What does this “film plus” experience look like for audiences today? And as AI reshapes the film industry, what opportunities and challenges lie ahead? Host Xu Yawen spoke with Li Lun, assistant professor of economics at Peking University; Geng Ling, film producer and CEO of China Film Assist Company; and Teng Jimeng, associate professor of American studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, to delve into these questions.
Published: Apr 24, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
AI glasses, flying cars, humanoid robots at CICPE 2026 — gimmicks or the future?
From AI-powered glasses to flying cars and next generation of humanoid robots, companies from home and abroad have gathered in China’s Hainan province for the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), also known as the Hainan Expo. What groundbreaking innovations are featured at the expo? Are these cutting-edge technologies just gimmicks, or will they truly become part of our future lives? And how can the deep integration of AI technology into daily life serve as a new engine for China’s consumption upgrade? Host Xu Yawen is joined by Chen Jiahe, Chief Investment Officer of Novem Arcae Technologies; Dr...
Published: Apr 17, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
SMILE: When China and Europe meet beyond Earth
SMILE, a joint China–Europe satellite, is about to capture something we've never seen before: Earth's magnetic shield in action. What is it trying to do? Why does it matter, and how could it affect your phone, your flight, or even the power grid? And in a divided world, what does this rare space partnership really reveal? Host Tu Yun joins Professor Quentin Parker, the Director of the Lab for Space Research, University of Hong Kong, Dr. Zhang Fan, an Associate Professor of Astronomy, Beijing Normal University, and Professor Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also a Senior Re...
Published: Apr 10, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
China's ocean economy at a turning point
Since elevating the goal of becoming a "maritime power" in 2012, China has made significant progress. What are the most eye-catching achievements? As the focus shifts from speed to quality, how could China's AI and digital tech edge help reshape the country's traditional maritime sectors? And in a system where a few countries still hold technological and narrative dominance, how can China gain a greater voice in rule-setting through global cooperation? Host TU Yun joins Yan Yan, a senior research fellow with the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, Qu Qiang, a professor and fellow of the Belt and Road...
Published: Apr 3, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
China's consumer rebound: What's really driving the new trends?
China's consumer spending has shown a noticeable rebound in the first two months of the year. What are the key drivers? Though the performance beat expectations, it remains the weakest start to a year since 2000, excluding the pandemic slump. How much of a concern is this against the backdrop of still-fragile consumer confidence and broader economic headwinds? And as the rise of the "emotional economy" comes into focus, what should policymakers, investors and businesses do to adapt to these new trends? Host Tu Yun joins John Gong, Professor of Economics, University of International Business and Economics, Subramania Bhatt, the Founder...
Published: Mar 27, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Is Apple becoming more compliant in China?
Apple is lowering its App Store commission in China, a move believed to be a major concession in one of its most important markets. What's driving the change? How may it affect developers, consumers, and Apple's business model in the country? And could this signal a broader shift in the balance of power between regulators and Big Tech? Host TU Yun joins Professor Doug Guthrie, the Director of China Initiatives at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, Professor Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics, and Professor Warwick Powell, Adjunct...
Published: Mar 20, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Is the era of U.S. stocks dominance shifting?
Global financial giant UBS has downgraded U.S. stocks, as markets stumble into one of their worst starts in decades. Is this a routine reset or a warning shot? Where is capital moving now? Are emerging markets the real story? And with geopolitics heating up and the Fed in play, is this a short-term wobble or the start of a structural shift in global capital? Host Tu Yun joins Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, Li Lun, Assistant Professor of Economics, Peking University, and Chen Jiahe, the Chief Investment Officer of the Beijing-based Novem Arcae Technologies for...
Published: Mar 13, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Two Sessions Special: Decode China's financial priorities for the coming year
China will set up a national-level mergers and acquisitions fund to help venture capital investors find an exit. How urgent is the need? And with cumulative dividends and share buybacks hitting a record high, what does that signal about the reshaping of China’s securities market? Host TU Yun joins Yao Shujie, Chueng Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University, John Gong, Professor of Economics, University of International Business and Economics, and Einar Tangen, a senior fellow of the Canadian think tank, the Center for International Governance Innovation, and the Chairman at Asia Narratives for a close look.
Published: Mar 7, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
2026 Two Sessions: China’s Global Governance Initiative in action
For the first time, the Global Governance Initiative, a framework for reforming international relations, is set to feature in the recommendations for China’s new Five-Year Plan. This comes as national lawmakers and political advisors prepare to gather in Beijing for the annual “Two Sessions” in the coming days. GGI emphasizes sovereign equality, international law, and multilateralism. It prioritizes the Global South, focusing on true multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and tangible results. What does “people-centered” actually mean for communities in the Global South? Host Xu Yawen is joined by Özgür Altınbaş, Chief of the Foreign News Service at Aydinlik in Tü...
Published: Feb 27, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Will the U.S. rare earth futures plan undermine China's dominance?
Chicago-based financial services company CME Group is reportedly working on a plan to launch the world's first rare earth futures contract. Can the U.S. reshape pricing power without controlling production? What countermove may Beijing take? Will China's dominance in price-setting be diluted? And are we expecting a bifurcated system in the global mineral sector? Host Tu Yun joins Professor Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, Professor Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and John Gong, Professor of Economics, at the University of...
Published: Feb 19, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
When the world comes to China for Spring Festival
This Spring Festival, China isn't just welcoming the Year of the Horse. It's welcoming the world. Foreign flight bookings are up more than 400 percent, with visitors flooding in from Russia, Europe, and even Argentina. Why now? What's driving this surge? Visas, social media, or something deeper? And as more foreigners come to China to experience the holiday, is Spring Festival becoming a global cultural event. Host Tu Yun joins Helen Han, Co-founder and Secretary General, the Beijing Club for International Dialogue, Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow, the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, and Mike Bastin, China...
Published: Feb 13, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
China bans hidden car door handles: Safety fix or global rule-setting moment?
Sleek, flush, futuristic--hidden door handles once symbolized the EV era. Now, they're being flagged as safety risks. China is set to ban them, becoming the first country in the world to do so. What triggered the move? How will it affect automakers? Will the impact stop at car design, or ripple into global standards? Host Tu Yun is joined by Professor Yan Liang, Professor of Economics, Willamette University, the United States, Professor Andy Mok of Beijing Foreign Studies University, who's also a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, and Professor Warwick Powell, Adjunct Professor, Queensland University...
Published: Feb 6, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Why does China aim for a price recovery?
The world seems to be experiencing a split. While Europe and the U.S. work to bring inflation down, China is grappling with a different problem, persistently weak prices. What's going on? Why do low prices worry Beijing? How are policymakers aiming for a "reasonable" rebound? And can the goal be achieved without creating new risks at home or abroad? Host Tu Yun is joined by Professor Liu Baocheng, the Director of the Center for International Business Ethics, University of International Business and Economics, Dr Sean Chang, Associate Professor of Practice in Finance, the University of Hong Kong, and Professor...
Published: Jan 30, 2026Duration: 54m 55s
Why is "Becoming Chinese" going viral overseas?
What does it mean to "become Chinese," and why are people saying it online? From TikTok to X, the phrase is going viral. Is it cultural admiration, social commentary, or a search for alternatives? Host Tu Yun is joined by Dr. Qu Qiang, a professor and fellow of the Belt and Road Research Center at Minzu University of China, Dr. Warwick Powell, an adjunct professor of the Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and Harvey Dzodin, a Senior Fellow at the Center for China and Globalization to explore the forces behind this unexpected trend and what it reveals about a changing...
Published: Jan 23, 2026Duration: 54m 55s