Reviews
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“As an old china hand, listening to the Drum Tower team’s journalism is a much needed light, shining on a culture that could so easily remain unseen and misunderstood. Drum Tower should be mandatory listening for everyone. Everyone.”
OldBeagle via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
10/21/24
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“My compliments and thanks to Ms. Jiehao Chen for her latest series “Climbers” as part of Drum Tower. The series has been very informative and interesting. Even though I had been to China a few times, yet I had very little idea about the details shared in the series. Am sure there could be some...”Read full review »
TravenAdventure via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/09/24
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“Truly one of the most interesting and informative podcasts I’ve ever listened to. Thanks for producing fascinating content week in, week out!”
PK432111 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/08/24
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“This podcast is extremely informative. I prompted me to learn more about modern Chinese history, including reading Spence’s Search for Modern China. I also made myself learn more about the geography of China’s cities and provinces beyond those that are constantly in the news. I am a little...”Read full review »
Patchiecorn via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/24/24
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“Great podcast about China. It helps a lot to learn about the country and understand how the party controls and runs China.”
Tolid via Apple Podcasts ·
Denmark ·
09/10/24
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“I subscribed to The Economist mainly for the Drum Tower and appreciate the important topics and engaging content.
However, when it comes to Taiwan, a recurring bias seems apparent, portraying Taiwan as wise, moral, and overly vulnerable while the mainland is consistently doing nothing positive....”Read full review »
grella390 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/28/24
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“Podcast is often picking up on recent developments but sometimes also quite niche topics (such as the evolution of fast food culture in China) but then puts it into a broad perspective of societal and political change. I’m often surprised about how interesting I find an episode when I initially...”Read full review »
Crimson Sakura via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
08/14/24
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“Love your recent episode of RUN. This is also the topic of my podcast created with my friend 1 year ago after we left ML China!
I invite you to also listen to some of our podcast
- uptrooted 异度播客!
:)
Yan”
Yan @ Paris via Apple Podcasts ·
France ·
05/27/24
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“Dynamic duo offers on the ground insights from locals”
Owentastic via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/14/24
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“Alice and David are doing a fantastic job with insightful comments and observations. I am also touched by their genuine care and concern for the ordinary Chinese people. I feel this quality is increasingly lacking in the current geopolitical climate. So thank you Alice and David.”
Wenli_ via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
05/14/24
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“Brilliant reporting by David Rennie, by going to Xinjiang during Ramadan, risking his own safety. Bravo!”
bf2019 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
04/24/24
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“By far my favourite show to keep up to date with China. David and Alice strikes a good balance between uncovering the side of China that is perhaps not headline worthy whilst not being overly biased. It’s not so much that everything about China is bad, the show serves as a good counter argument...”Read full review »
OnePaperAirplane via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/08/24
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“I quickly feel in love with Drum Tower when it first debuted and was shocked and irritated to find they have moved to a subscription only model including blocking access to previously free episodes.”
JemMashburn via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/21/24
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“Seems unbiased but potentially misleading and manipulative”
yanran125 via Apple Podcasts ·
Hong Kong ·
01/10/24
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“Since the podcast switched to a subscription model, the contents have become very boring. But you now get spammed with various ’picks‘ and advertisements.”
A reader and writer via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
01/08/24
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“Give us free tier content. I dont mind listen hours long advert,”
KennethC1 via Apple Podcasts ·
Hong Kong ·
12/11/23
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“It is a pity that The Economist has chosen to start sending unrelated “bonus” podcasts to Drum Tower subscribers. It turns a weekly delight into spam.”
Scottish Rain via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/28/23
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“Used to be a great podcast, but they switched to a paid model and locked all the old episodes. I was in the middle of listening to something that can’t even finish the episode anymore. I might be willing to pay a little bit to listen to this, but the pricing is pretty ridiculous. And anyway the...”Read full review »
OkGoDoIt via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/27/23
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“Loved this podcast when I use to be able to listen to it”
Riley2022! via Apple Podcasts ·
Ireland ·
11/12/23
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“I subscribed to The Economist, scoundrels! 🤣, for this podcast. Thanks.”
Stephen_Grant1977 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/10/23
“A good podcast. I listened from within China and appreciated a lot of the content. definitely most episodes would be unapproved from within. So definitely a critical western view on China with more wrongs than rights rather than a balanced fair account or culturally interesting stories. The duo...”Read full review »
Sunbird23 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/02/23
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“Thank you. Great podcast and excellent source of learning.”
AtulatHK via Apple Podcasts ·
Hong Kong ·
10/29/23
“Hands down the best single source of information about China for Westerners that want news and info about China.
Westerners that want to have a more complete and full view of China, must listen to this podcast.”
jmillsesq via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/24/23
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“This is a fantastic podcast giving additional insight into China. Congrats on 1 year!”
Cincy News Junkie via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/11/23
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“As the hosts mention on their recent one-year looking back episode, one thing that makes this podcast phenomenal is the opportunity for folks like me in the US to hear directly from Chinese people in their own voices. As tensions between the US and China increase, I think podcasts like this are...”Read full review »
mfeehly via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/10/23
“I really enjoy this podcast but I absolutely will not pay to listen to this or other Economist podcasts.
Please do not make this a paid podcast. Put adverts in it or put it on Spotify only like Joe Rogan’s.”
Mad Dog HK 666 via Apple Podcasts ·
Hong Kong ·
10/10/23
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“I was hoping to get a deeper insight to China’s CCP and their UFWD. Rather i’m wondering if i’m listening to a podcast produced on behalf of the CCP: The narrative here should be how the CCP is misunderstood by the West”
N1ckname9 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
10/04/23
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“Shifted to a pay model - they’re being squirrelly about how much they’ll charge but evidently the full price is nearly $50/yr. We’ve plainly hit peak podcast here. I won’t be paying such an exorbitant price for a podcast. It’s a shame, they were doing great work, but ads plus pricey subscription...”Read full review »
Auron Renouille via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/28/23
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“Anyone can try telling a story…good or bad but telling a good story a balanced story a story where one follows the TRUTH to wherever it meanders & ducks; well that I leave to Su & David…I salute your work & efforts👊🏿
China is here to stay!
Emmanuel Samci”
Ginane72 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/27/23
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“If you want a large dose of anti China rhetoric, this is the podcast for you. Extremely biased, the hosts can barely contain their contempt for anything China does. China always up to no good or simply incompetent.”
mleung33 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
09/20/23
“Great episode this week!”
Augustus Octavius via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/16/23
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“Thank you for giving is valid, intelligent insight on China and various relations with itself and the rest of the world”
AG#TC via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
09/10/23
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“Just listened to your excellent episode on Panzhihua and the Third Front. It blew my mind, as just about everything I heard was new to me. As with your other episodes, they provide a good window into today's China, with just enough historical context. Thank you from Perth, Western Australia!”Read full review »
themediapot via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
09/06/23
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“Brings a very balanced view of life in China.”
LanMoulands via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
08/28/23
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“I love this podcast! It’s fantastic and intriguing :) Keep at it!”
calenderboys via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
08/15/23
“Su-Lin Wong's outstanding "The Prince" podcast got me through quarrantine back in October 2022, and I'm delighted to listen to David Rennie and his superbly informed co-hosts on this great weeky podcast. I love hearing the snippets of gossip from around Beijing where I'm...”Read full review »
Chris Crook via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
08/02/23
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“This really is a outstanding podcast. If you want to understand contemporary China - it’s politics, people, culture, history and relations with the rest of the world - then you have to give it a listen.”
Hadrian3 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
07/25/23
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“Another long dark night driving in South Texas delivering petroleum products and listening to The Economist, I’m a subscriber and I like this podcast on China, every week is like taking a trip around the world reading The Economist.”
El Rinche via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/19/23
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“I have listened for about 6 months. Our hosts are increasingly spinning everything to portray China in a bad light. China haters will love the podcast. I prefer balanced reporting and have unsubscribed.”
deanzaZZR via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/19/23
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“When journalists talk about Japan’s wartime deeds why do they always stop at Nanjing? What about the gruesome experiments in unit731, or the Zhejiang-Jiangxi campaign following the Doolittle raids? Etc? It was far more extensive. Never lived in PRC but lived in Japan many years ago. Didn’t see...”Read full review »
tptkto3 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/05/23
“Smearing China is a business, a business, a profession and a green card”
hhhjjjkkmn via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
06/10/23
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“This is by far my favorite podcast. The reporting is in depth and gives me deep insights on China not available elsewhere. Both hosts are great. Alice Su is so engaging and I love her gentle nudging of the somewhat nerdy but lovable David Rennie. I wish more people in this crazy world would...”Read full review »
bebebebef via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/07/23
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“A fantastic podcast - unparalleled insights into various aspects of contemporary China - and helmed by outstanding journalists.”
Cattle egret via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
06/06/23
“I really like the China focued podcast. It’s very well made, very informative, it has funny bits in it. Great hosts! I’m very happy The Economist puts its reputation to good work!
Keep it up and Thank you!”
Ion Diaconu via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
05/17/23
“I listen to a lot of podcasts, but Drum Tower is one I look forward most to. With Chinese language literate hosts in both Beijing and Taipei who are articulate and efficient, I learn something from each episode and always find my time well spent. Many thanks to the hosts and everyone else who...”Read full review »
Davitcha via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/05/23
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“Please post a link to the tea you recommend!”
NARP15 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/01/23
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“Always insightful discussions on what’s happening in one of the world’s most important and little understood countries.”
Scrutonizer via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/30/23
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