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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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’...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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?

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit will take place in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on July 3rd and 4th. Established in June 2001 with six founding members, the SCO has expanded to include 9 member states, 3 observers, and 14 dialogue partners. The total population of the SCO member states represents nearly half of the global population, and their combined territory accounts for a quarter of the world's land area. In this special episode of Chat Lounge, host Xu Yawen joins...

US aviation giant Boeing is probably facing its worst crisis since its founding over a century ago. American prosecutors have recommended the justice department file criminal charges against Boeing. How did the company get to this point? What may criminal charges mean for it? Who can fix its problems? Is it salvageable? And what lessons can China's fledgling aircraft manufacturing sector learn from it? Host Tu Yun joins Edward Lehman, Founder and Managing Director of China-based law firm...

Trade tensions between China and the EU are growing. Beijing has launched an anti-dumping probe into pork imported from the bloc following the latter's decision to levy extra tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars. How far will the economic tensions go? And what does it take to avoid a trade war, something least desirable for today's world? Host Tu Yun joins Dr. Zhou Mi, Deputy Director of the Institute of American and Oceania Study, Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic...